So Long, Marianne

Leonard Cohen and Marianne Ihlen's famous and intensely emotional love story is expertly explored in "So Long, Marianne" (2024), which sensitively and truly captures their nuanced bond. Øystein Karlsen's series masterfully manages to strike a balance between Cohen and Ihlen's entwined lives, showing them as equals who are each other's creators, lovers, and saviors. The production provides an aesthetically striking and historically accurate depiction of their voyage, set against the lively backdrop of the 1960s bohemian artist scene in Hydra, Montreal, Oslo, and New York.

The way that Alex Wolff captures Leonard Cohen's inner turmoil, vulnerability, and quest for meaning in his work is really moving. While Thea Sofie Loch Naess portrays Marianne as an equal partner in their love story rather than merely a muse.

The series' artistic decisions, such as its sumptuous soundtrack and lyrical contributions from musicians like Patrick Watson, transport viewers to Cohen's early emotional life. The program offers a potent reflection on love, fame, and self-identity by capturing the essence of their mutual creative influence and the sacrifices they made.

"So Long, Marianne" stands out as a poignant and personal examination of two well-known characters, highlighting their development as individuals as well as their strong relationship. For lovers of Cohen, it is a must-watch because is masterfully made and focuses on both his early life and his enduring love for Marianne.

This one might have been great if it had been 5 or 6 episodes, instead of 8. Not that it's bad. The acting and cinematography are both excellent. Alex Wolff and Thea Sofie L. Næss do great jobs in the lead roles. The visuals and period details are beautiful.

However, as so often with shows nowadays, the material is stretched out, meaning too much repetition.

Plus, the episodes too often end abruptly, not really being stories of their own. A series isn't meant to be just a long movie divided up. See "The Crown" and you'll know what I mean. In "So Long..." the exception is Chelsea Hotel, by far the best episode. The two last ones, penned by Jo Nesbø, are in general the best. The dialogue also picks up here and becomes more realistic and witty.

If you're a fan of unhappy love stories or, like me, the inimitable Leonard Cohen, you might enjoy this. Just be aware that this is a young, hormonal, and immature version of Cohen. I always argue you should never have idols - you'll be disappointed - but this made me realize I had put him on a pedestal as the quintessential Good Person. Turns out he was a human being.

The series follows young Norwegian Marianne Ihlen as she travels to a Greek island with her husband, a lying, abusive, womanizing artist. She then leaves him for a sweet, depression-prone, womanizing artist. Oh, and both guys keep leaving her, a LOT.

They leave her and come back, Leonard plays with Little Axel and says something lofty, their friend Charmian talks dramatically about her wasted life, Leonard gets advice from Stellan Skarsgård. Repeat.

Seriously, the play scenes are cute, but half of them could have been cut. Same with Charmian's monologues. I missed actually seeing what she talks about, as well. Several times she says the local islanders have started to hate the foreign bohemians, but we never see it.

Along with this they all consume an unbelievable, ridiculous amount of cigarettes, drugs, and alcohol. I know there really was a lot of drug use, but this veers into parody. It's a wonder these people didn't die of acute poisoning.

To sum up, it's a decent show which, with some cuts, better pacing, and slightly better dialogue, could have been really great.

I'm a big Leonard Cohen fan and have seen lots of documentaries and footage about his career. When biographies are made, it can be jarring when you see someone known being played by an actor - there are plenty out there that just don't work because you can't suspend disbelief and forget you are watching an actor pretending to be someone you "know".

Full credit to Alex Wolff, about half way through the first episode I forgot I was watching someone trying to play Leonard Cohen and just got involved in the story and thought of him as Cohen. He's great. In the latter scenes in the series where Cohen is in the recording studio and singing on stage I couldn't actually tell if it was a recording of Cohen dubbed in or the actor singing.

Impressive!

The ambiance and acting is just beautiful. Alex Wulff perfectly captures Cohens melancholy and quirky sense of humour while also looking exactly like him . Thea Sofie Loch Naess does a great job as his nordic muse and partner of nearly ten years. She might be the love of his life,but hopelessly lost in the waters behind a person on his way to legendary stardom. The settings and locations span from picturesque Hydra in Greece to cold and conformed Norway,where Leonard was the stranger,to even more conformed traditional Montreal where Marianne finds herself confronted and confused by the conservative Jewish values that have a tighter hold over Leonard than she previously could grasp back in the neutral free Hydra. I hope Cohen lovers find this.

So Long, Marianne (2024) is a refreshing love story that steps away from the typical Hollywood formula. This series beautifully captures the highs and lows of a genuine relationship, portraying both the joy and the inevitable struggles of love. From the first episode to the last, I was captivated by the authentic characters and their emotional journey, which felt raw and relatable. The non-Hollywood setting adds to its charm, offering a unique visual and emotional experience. For those seeking a heartfelt, real romance, So Long, Marianne is a must-watch, showcasing love in all its raw, imperfect beauty.