Once in a Lifetime

This is a feelgood comedy about ordinary people living extraordinary lives. It centres around a woman who is living her lifelong ambition and how it affects her and those who are close to her. Some parts can be seen as sickly sweet, but there are several dark undertones about how certain "different" people are perceived and treated in society today. Definitely worth watching.

In "The Life Is a Schlager" we meet the nurse, mother and wife Mona. She is really interested in Melodifestivalen, a huge music competition in Sweden. She has even named her daughters after famous singers from Melodifestivalen.

Mona takes care of David, who is a disabled man. One day Mona discovers that David works on a melody. She writes the lyrics and sends it to Melodifestivalen. They accept and love the song! Therefore, Mona becomes famous overnight. But Mona soon learns that fame comes with a price.

I must say, in all honesty, that I really like this movie. Personally I think that it is a delightful tribute to Melodifestivalen. Mona could have been a little more honest. And yes, Monas husband could have been a bit nicer. But other than that I can´t find anything else to dislike.

I believe that you don´t have to be a fan of Melodifestivalen to like this movie. "The Life Is a Schlager" shows other important subjects. Family, diseases, respect, love and support is here too. At least if you ask me. I recommend this one. Grab the snacks and watch it.

As a big fan of the Eurovision Song Contest I knew I had to see this movie the moment I saw the trailer. It revolves around Mona, a not very glamorous woman, working with the handicapped David. Mona, played by the multi-talented Helena Bergström, is also a huge fan of the ESC and has named her four daughters after stars from the contest. This film is a great vehicle for Bergström, whom you may know from films such as Änglegård I and II, but both Jonas Karlson as David and Björn Kjellman as Mona's brother Candy Darling, offer strong support and, at moments steel their scenes. Actually Karlson's and Kjellman's only scene together is the film's strongest point. Inevitably there is a lot of music, some a bit cheesy and bad.

This movie has several beautiful aspects, and touches many of the problems we face every day, the importance of keeping your dreams alive in order to survive, and at the end of the day: How important it is not to loose sight of your friends and family in the process!

This (Swedish) movie is the worst thing I have ever seen from Danish Susanne Bier's hand. This is too bad. Susanne Bier has made so fine movies as "Freud flyttar hemifrån..." (1991), "Brev til Jonas" (1992), "Det bli'r i familien" (1994), "Sekten" (1997) and the beautiful "Den Eneste Ene" (1999). After this one she made "Brødre" (2004) and the Oscar-nominated "Efter brylluppet" (2006). This script stinks. Not her fault altogether, as the script is by Jonas Gardell. But the fine, fine actors make some of the story believable. Most of all Helena Bergström as Mona, and Jonas Karlsson as David, and that may be a credit to the director, too.

After having lived in Sweden for half a year, I truly appreciated this look into modern Swedish living. Schlager is to the Swedish what the ocean is to lemmings. They are all drawn to it instinctively.

A full-time nurse with three kids and an unemployed husband gets her lucky break and breaks through as a Swedish superstar.

A lot of laughs and frustration. Good acting, nice photography and above all a compelling story. 9/10.