Un chic type

The story is about the oldest in the book of organised crime based drama: ex-con's past hinders him in starting over. That doesn't get in the way of this movie one bit. Skarsgard makes it work in this story of people who all took a beating from life somewhere, without it becoming sentimental anywhere.

an ex con released from prison finds his former buddies waiting for him to revive their mutual criminal careers. Skarsgard's Ulrich skillfully navigates through attempts to manipulate him and in the end does what he thinks is right. No big words, no big drama, just the subtle humor and Skarsgards solid Ulrich along with the strong performance of all cast makes this movie full of outcasts. A realistic yet entertaining watch.

I watched this film while flying KLM (on of the benefits of flying a European airline). From the first scene at the gate where the prison security officer (never call 'em guards) wishes the "hero" good luck, you know that his life outside prison will be difficult. The film lacks and special effects, shoot 'em ups, guys outrunning explosions, and other over-the-top Hollywood style film work. Instead, it was a steady pace, like reading a good novel. You will find yourself in sympathy with the main character, feeling his frustration as his resists violence and submits to the women who desire him (he seems to take no pleasure in most of his encounters, but performs as required. I enjoyed this film and will add it to my collection when I get a chance, I can recommend this film to movie fans and I think you will enjoy it.

It's amazing that even on a renowned Festival as the one in Berlin, there can be shown movies like this. It's not really something you (or in that case I) would expect to see there. Yes it has Stellan S., but the story as it is, is very bleak and humorous to say the least. A story that you would expect to pop up at other Festivals then. Especially with the crude humour, it's way of not pulling punches (but indeed delivering them) and characters that are way out there.

A few gross scenes, that are not necessarily violent, because sometimes even "romance" can be "brutal" to watch, as the viewers were moaning in a bad way at some scenes ... which you'll understand, once you watch the movie. Still very engaging and very well played. I liked it a lot.

This is definitely a different kind of movie. At first I couldn't quite swallow it. Like one of those wired Frennch delicacies that taste so unexpectedly you can't decide whether to chew on or drop them out of your mouth. Yet, if you resist a bit further for your mouth and brain to accommodate, you find that the experience was one so rich and subtle it lingers on your senses for days.

There's not the least bit of glamor or pretence in this movie. The plot seem to develop rather too slowly, the dialogues do not have the sparkle which tingles the intellect and makes you feel smarter, the people are not handsome but slightly old, worn out, ordinary people and the sex scenes are stripped of magic, eroticism and, well, desire. Nevertheless, behind it all there's this gentleness, humour and a kind of sadness almost heartbreaking. Each character has a history of abandonment, abuse, absence of love behind them, which sort of handicaps the way they connect to other people, makes their words and gestures rather abrupt, apparently lacking emotion. And there's this "gentle man", a former cold blooded murderer, who can see their despondency and incidentally tries to give them a bit of what they need. In doing so, he attempts to shut a door on his bleak past. And it's not because he wants to be a new better man, but because he can no longer be the man that he was. He simply needs to be the father and the lover he was refused for many years, he needs to have an ordinary life. "Spring is coming", his reply at the end of the movie, and the small contemplative smile it's a welcome addressed to a life of better choices and the relief after just killing the last "shadow" of his past. Now I can tell no more without spoiling the movie, but I highly recommend it. Also, I recommend that you be patient. Even if you can't enjoy it from the very first, see it through. It will worth your while. I give this movie a 9 out of 10.

" A Somewhat Gentle Man", is quite a surprise. When I scanned the description of the movie, I expected a crime flick. My mistake for not paying proper attention to detail. Nevertheless, I enjoyed this quirky comedy very much. My experience with the Norwegian comedy is hopelessly limited, but if this movie is typical of it, I wouldn't mind seeing more.The humor swerves between deadpan and grotesque with an amazing ease.The characters are people that life didn't pat on the back. They are beaten, bitter or just plain depressed. The jokes are smart and original, and the actors are not clowning, but playing very serious. That's the reason, probably, that I found this strange little flick so fresh and funny.