Sotto il sole

Left the theater feeling good, as another reviewer said. Not the most original story, but has many of the human touches and imperfections that Hollywood often hides. The leading actress is BEAUTIFUL, though still "one of us" in her (minor) imperfections. I was somewhat disconcerted by the Irish music background in a Swedish setting, but then again, what do I know? Hope to find this movie on DVD someday (I'll put it on my DVD wish list, somewhere below "Babette's Feast").

"Under the Sun" is a bucolic, warm, charming, and sentimental story about a 40 year old Swedish farmer who hires an attractive housekeeper who tends to somewhat more than cooking and cleaning. He's illiterate with an inheritance, she's smart and pretty, and he has a young male friend who may be after both his money and the woman. A lovely bit of romantic melodrama laced with humor and rustic beauty which could steal your heart or make you gag depending on your taste. Recommended for more mature sentimentalists. (B)

I saw the movie recently, as I was looking for a new taste of movies outside the French, Spanish, Italian or German ones. I adore European movies very much, and so I deliberately picked it up from the blockbuster store. After watching the brilliant performance of Rolf Lassgård as well as Helena Bergström, I have no doubt that a true romantic movie was nominated for Oscar foreign film category. The camera-work, Celtic music, photography, the location and obviously the acting was simply brilliant. It is really a must see movie and all credits to the director as he has brought up such a nice movie out of a simple story which still possesses the rustiness of a Swedish village. Rarely one can see such a nice romantic presentation of movie based on such a common topic. It could not have been done more better. I am a bit surprised why it was rated "R", there are many Hollywood movies which are much "R" rated and bogus. Isn't a bit of ill-fated skepticism on the Swedish movie? I think it's time to learn for the h'wood "dumbs" how to make romantic movies in a presentable way without explicit scenes and come out of the viscous circle of the sci-fi, thriller, murder, horror plots.

Do watch it if you have not, a must see for your family and it reckons 10/10!!

This film touched my heart. Set in rural Sweden in the mid '50s and beautifully telling the tale of shy, reluctant love, the jealousy between friends and the claustrophobic agony of illiteracy, the film leaves you with the hope that just sometimes the innocent might prevail over the cunning. As a bonus, on top of the psychological subtlety that Nutley handles so well, you are also treated to the beauty of a landscape still remembered and missed.

Nutley elegantly suggests outcomes of actions without overstating it, like when he lets one of his characters mention that he signed on as a crew member of Andrea Doria – which went under in 1956, the year described in the film.

Paradoxically, no Swedish director has ever succeeded in describing the soul of the Swedish people or painting the beauty of the Swedish countryside as brilliantly – or lovingly, for that matter - as Colin Nutley has.

H.E. Bates' story `The Little Farm' on which `Under Solen' is based, was screened in a shortened version way back in the early 70s by Granada TV. The fact that this is not exactly one of his better known stories made it all the more surprising when it appeared as `Under Solen' in a full-length film miraculously transported to rural Sweden in the 1950s, and directed by a Brit…….. The result is charming, to say the least.

Olof, now over 40, decides he and his ramshackle farm need a young woman round the place, and so a very beautiful thirty-something Ellen walks into his life in answer to an advertisement for a housewife, much to the chagrin and scepticism of Erik, Olof's best friend. Good interpretations, though one might surmise Johan Widerberg tended to overplay his part at times; Rolf Lassgård and Helena Bergström gave pleasing performances. The photography is beautiful: all that lovely summer countryside somewhere in rural Sweden comes across very well, including heavy thunderstorms dripping through the roof of the old barn showering the happy couple's new-found passion. Wonderful to see one of those original Saabs which Erik Carlsson drove so successfully to so many victories in car rallies back in the late 50s! As well as a magnificent old bus. I could not quite make out if everyone was still driving on the left, though most certainly Olof's and Erik's cars were for driving on the right. Anybody know in which year Sweden changed from driving on the left to driving on the right, please?

My only quibble is Paddy Moloney's Celtic music seemd rather out of place in the middle of Swedish countryside. I mean, there is no lacking of indigenous folk and rural music from `Lockrop & Vallåtar' or Järna Musik och Dansfestival, Sommar-Gränna Blue Grass and Old Time, or from people like Richard Näslin and Lasse Sörlin, for example.

Nicely paced the film moves deftly from scene to scene without jarring any of the senses, with the result that this film is indeed pleasant viewing.