Britt-Marie var här

The movie has a message. There are subtleties that, no doubt, were better explored in the book (as other reviewers here note), but were adequately explained in the movie. I don't usually care for 'feel good' movies, but this one was subtle, well-acted, had many decent, likable characters, and kept my interest. I certainly wouldn't call it - as some reviewers have - 'comedic', but it was uplifting. And when the message sinks in, it sinks in deeply (at least in my case).

Movies can never give you all the details and depth that a book can. But some movies really miss what the book was really about. That is not the case with this gentle movie about a woman who needs to find herself and her place in the world. The true spirit if the book is captured, the casting is spot on. I was busy doing something, so thought I would watch only a little since it required reading subtitles. But before I knew it, I had stopped everything else and totally focused on the movie. Just like a good book that you can't put down.

As other people have pointed out here, the book gives you more layers and background information and the film would probably work best if you read the book first, that way, you will be able to understand what's going on much better.

The acting was wonderful, the casting spot on. The children were delightful and not over the top.

So many aspects of the book had to be stripped out in order for a relatively linear story to survive and make sense in just 97 minutes. Nevertheless, I enjoyed the film immensely, watching it in Swedish with subtitles. The way the Swedes talk to each other, e.g. very simple, bare, stripped down reactions, underlines the emotional intensity. They might not say much, but there's a lot bubbling inside them - and this would be better understood if one had read the book first.

Throughout the film, I was rooting for Britt-Marie. I adore films where repressed and downtrodden characters slowly unfold - like a chrysalis turning into a butterfly.

What I would like to read now is a book called "What Britt-Marie Did Next". I feel there is more potential in that character.

Even though it doesn't capture the complexity of Britt-Maries character, presented in the book this is still a charming little movie about the angst getting old alone and all of a sudden having to build your own life after living 40 years for someone else.

You can see elements of A Man Called Ove in this, even thought it's also a very different story. If you loved that film there's a good chance you'll love this one too. You will laugh and possibly cry.

I have read the book a few years ago and struggled with it, unlike other novels by Frederick Backman. The movie bought it to life for me, I need to go back and read it again.

Although the premise of the story is a little far-fetched, the theme of making the most of opportunities later in life makes for a great film. The casting is excellent. And the film's climactic moment is also realistic, showing there can be great joy in seemingly trivial outcomes.