En vandring i solen

This film has been on my mind frequently since the first time I saw it. Based on a novel by Stig Claesson aka SLAS who has written a lot of memorable novels, of which many has been filmed for TV or the big screen. This film is filled with some of Sweden's most brilliant actors and actresses all making some of their most remarkable performances ever. SLAS was an author who had a special sense for describing the Swedish mind and his writing is perfectly captured in this film. One of my top ten films ever.

This film was seen by 400.000 Swedes upon its initial release. Why it has become totally forgotten since, I will never know. Fact remains, this is a masterpiece. Gösta Ekman, in one of his best starring roles, plays somewhat alcoholic sport journalist Tore Andersson who escapes from his ruined relationship to Cypress for a vacation. He drinks to hard, is placed in a small nut-house for a while, returns to civilization dressed in a fur coat, and falls in love with the Norwegian travel guide. But fate wants something else. A movie which moves you like few others do, featuring lush photography, comedy, tragedy and several walks in the sun. Wish this could find its way to DVD someday.

I saw this film upon it's release over 40 years ago; I was not that impressed by it then and after viewing it recently on DVD my first impression lasts - it's not as good a film as one would have hoped with such a cast. The actors are very good though - especially the three older ladies, portrayed by Sif Ruud, Margaretha Krook and Irma Christensson. Gösta Ekman in the lead role is also good, as is the Norwegian singer Inger Lise Rypdal. However, it's the story itself that makes this film a mediocre one - it is simply not realistic and full of plot holes. I think it's because the author of the novel, which the film is based on, was well-known in Sweden, people tend to think the film also must be better than good. Unfortunately that is not the case.To sum it up - not a film that I'd recommend to anyone unless they have nothing else to do.