Sotto il sole

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.

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.

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'.

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!

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").