Once in a Lifetime

Susanne Bier achieved great fame in Denmark for her previous movie "Den eneste ene" so her new movie was eagerly anticipated in Denmark even though it was in Swedish.

It is a new comedy about everyday people. This time it is about a woman who is crazy about "Melodi Festivalan", a song contest for pop music. Helena Bergström is simply wonderful as the main character and it is mainly because of her that the movie is bearable.

Otherwise the movie is predictable, so sweet it is bad for your teeth and with a ending that might been played down a notch or two.

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!

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.

This movie gives you a chance to laugh out loud. It`s not so very great but some of the actors are really outstanding. It stars Helena Bergström (as Mona) and she´s always believable but the acting of Jonas Karlsson(as the CP-injured youngster) and Björn Kjellman (as Monas "transa"-brother Candy-Kenny) are really outstanding. If Oscar-nominees for best co-acting were giving to actors in a non-english spoken movie this year, these two guys should really be in the "pipeline".

OK, this movie is the greatest! It's an optimistic movie about a couple of Swedish folks who are totally unfortunate. One day they get a one-time chance to improve their lives and they take it! Mona, a nurse and amateur-singer who lives in Sweden with her family (sick brother, 3 girls and a husband) get the opportunity to participate in a famous Swedish song contest - Melodifestivalen. But Mona has many unsolved issues to deal with if she wants to win the contest. Except her pessimistic family, the writer of the song she submit, a patient she takes care of in the hospital, is totally against any publishment of his song. Will it stop Mona? See for yourself. In this movie many famous Swedish artists appear as guest stars - Carola, Lena Philipsson, Lasse Holm and many more... A very exciting movie - for romantic & comedic fans from all over the world.

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