Sotto il sole

We loved this film. In a time of fast action, surprise, and worst-case scenarios, this is a human drama about living, love, relationship, and truth. The cinematography is stunning. Warm, golden hues of a Swedish summer ... and a reminder of life outside of our current era of technology and speed.

A story of two people falling in love for who they are ... not titles. Many visual and cinematographic metaphors and allusions.

A beautiful and touching film.

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.

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 was a wonderful movie about love, trust and self-discovery. The acting was first rate, and the photography was beautiful. It is a very sensitive portrayal of the very human need for love and acceptance, yet it is never heavy. The story moves along very well. The characters and plot are believable. I highly recommend it!

The SO brought this one home, having found it in the 'new releases' section. I remember hearing about it six years ago, but was in the UK at the time and never saw it.

Nutley took the Swedish spirit and gave it back to the people early on with short 'stilleben' shoots of Stockholm and its people and made an impression. 'House of Angels' (or whatever it's called in the English language version) was his first major film in Sweden and one of the biggest box offices ever.

The rental we had preserved the wide screen, which is absolutely essential in this context. Nutley has a knack for finding pastorals which are incredible, and Swedes really suck this up. The images themselves are so stunning and evocative to the local populace that this in itself is enough soul candy.

Nutley is of course together with his perennial leading lady today, and they have two or three children together, and in a clumsy event she was voted best Swedish actress of all time, ahead of Bergman and Garbo, but there is no discounting her talent or on-screen presence. Beautiful in a flawless way she may not be, but her on-screen charisma and meticulous acting are impressive.

Simple story? Yes, perhaps, but it's not only the plot you come to watch: it's the pictures themselves. Why watch Olof chop wood when you can film him from inside the house and show a bit of the window frame at the same time? Some of the pictures are so carefully laid out it's fantastic.

And the story itself: with acting this good, and with directing this good, you're going to find yourself moved and watery-eyed at the end no matter what.

I was surprised to find this movie won and was nominated for so many awards. I remember at the time critics in Sweden panning it. But I must have got this wrong. 'Under Solen' is a tour de force, a work of art, by a Brit who has captured the soul and spirit of Sweden like few others. A 'must see'.