Skenbart: En film om tåg

`Skenbart' is one of the funniest movies to not only to come from Peter Dalle but from the Swedish cinema industry itself. It is a movie made in black and white to get something of the atmosphere from the days before Christmas in December 1945, which it does very well. Almost the whole plot takes place on a train, non-stop to Berlin. On the train is a mix of homosexuals, nuns, deported refugees, murderers, alcoholics and the failure literature critic 'Gunnar' played by the, in Sweden, famous actor Gustav Hammarsten. The leading role 'Gunnar' is the type of person that, although his intentions are for the best, seems to drag everyone near him, in a extremely funny way, into disaster and to a living hell, especially for a from the Finnish war, homecoming, wounded soldier played by the extremely funny comedian Robert Gustafsson. On the train is also a doctor, who cheats on his wife, with his mistress. They have together planned to murder the doctors wife that is also travelling with the same train without any knowledge about her husbands intentions. Will the wife of the doctor elude the plans to murder her and will everyone else survive the unlucky fellow 'Gunnar'?

Very funny film with some of the best swedish actors. It's all filmed in black and white with the true 40-ish feeling. Most of the film you are aboard a train headed for Berlin in 1945 among a mixture of characters from refugees to 2 gay guys and 2 nuns. I truly recommend this film if you like to laugh.

Audiences should be used by now to Peter Dalles special brand of film-making. One could easily say that he is a man with a rather cruel view of humanity, and this also shows. His sense of humor is not for the weak-hearted and dark as coal. This however is both more accessible and more elaborate than his previous works.

Gunnar is a literary critic who wants to change his life. This is just after World War 2 and Gunnar decides to go to Germany where there is work rebuilding the country. He wants to make a difference. He gets on the train to Berlin along with a gallery of other personalities. Some of which have more sinister motives...

Seldom have i seen a noir murder story mixed with slapstick-comedy. And i guess this is not for everyone, but in my opinion it works pretty well. Mostly due to solid acting from most of the cast. The murder story is quite interesting, but would perhaps have a had hard time standing by itself. But with the small side-tracks and the humor added the movie moves along quite nicely. Also i have to say that this is one of the nicest-looking Swedish movies i've seen. The technical quality is excellent in Swedish terms.

So, no movie is perfect. What is lacking? Well some of the actors, especially Anna Björk and Kristina Törnqvist in the two largest female parts, are quite wooden and unnatural. They could just as well be reading their lines from a piece of paper. Also the slapstick has a rather brutal touch to it sometimes that becomes almost too much. But of course this is a matter of taste and humor.

All in all i felt this was a well-made and enjoyable movie from director Peter Dalle. I rate it 6/10 and recommend it.

An interesting comedy, taking place on a train from Stockholm to Berlin, December 1945. One can't help to feel sorry for the poor writer/critic who quits his job and jumps on the train to Berlin. His ambition is to make a difference, and to participate in building the new unified Europe after the war has ended.

I like the black and white format of the movie, as well as the closed scenery of a train in motion.

Robert Gustafsson makes a classic "Gustafsson-role" in this movie. If you're a fan of him, this movie is for you!

The philosopher Wittgenstein, through his saying "One can never assume that anything is what it seems to be", is referenced several times in the movie.

First of all - I hardly ever watch Swedish movies, and this is actually the second time in my life I watch a Swedish movie on cinema! Therefor, I believe it's one of the best Swedish movies ever! The combination of thrill and humour is OUTSTANDING, and sometimes you don't even know if you should be terrified or just laugh! The plot is about this man, a writer who wants to go to Germany after World War II and help the Germans to start over. On the way to Germany, he is trying to help his friends on the train, which is however a bad idea. What a clumsy jerk! And poor Robert Gustafsson - the wounded soldier - always get in the way ... OUCH!!! But he still got his great mood. A positive guy. Robert Gustafsson have done some less great movies the last years or so, and this is really a relief. He is great in this movie. After all - this is one of the best Swedish movies ever, and Peter Dalle has made an excellent job! Congratulations!