Skip over navigation

Help

Elling on DVD (2001)

Elling cover art
Play Elling trailer
Average rating: 77%
1112371120615
3.5
from 604 members
 
Starring: Per Christian Ellefsen, Sven Nordin, Marit Pia Jacobsen, Jorgen Langhelle, Per Christensen, Hilde Olausson
Director: Petter Naess
Certificate: 15
User collections: Films that make you feel human, Albino_Salamander's list, Gav Clarke, The best 21st century foreign films nobody's seen because they're all too busy watching Amelie and City of God, Fantastic films
Genres: World Cinema
Languages: Norwegian
Subtitles: English
Released: 15/03/2005

Brief synopsis of Elling

40-year-old Elling, a sensitive, would-be poet, is sent to live in a state institution when his mother who has sheltered him his entire life dies. A deadpan sense of humor surrounds the uplifting tale. Oscar nominee for Best Foreign Language Film.

Related

Critics Reviews

Tom Charity, LOVEFiLM
Elling is a homebody. He has lived his first 40 years with his (single) mother, but when she passes away the government generously finds an alternative home for him in an... read more »
Rating of 4 stars out of 5 Radio Times

Nominated for the 2002 best foreign film Oscar, director Petter Naess's adaptation of Ingvar Ambjørnsen's book Brothers in Blood effectively combines offbeat comedy with poignant insight. Discovered hiding in a cupboard after the death of his mother, fortysomething Elling (Per Christian Ellefsen) is taken in to an institution where he meets the dull-witted, yet volatile Sven Nordin. Two years later, they are judged fit to return to society and are installed in an Oslo flat where Nordin's interest is quickly diverted by pregnant neighbour Marit Pia Jacobsen, and Elling copes with his lonely confusion by writing poetry, which he slips into sauerkraut packages at the local supermarket. Fully realised without a single patronising moment, this is a winningly perceptive portrait of life on the margins.

Time Out

An enormous hit in its native Norway, this ingratiating comedy concerns the stumbling attempts of a couple of paroled... Read more on www.timeout.com

See all 3 Critics Reviews »

Members Reviews

Reviews Voted Most Helpful

Rated - 4 starsCharming Thoughful Tale

KChawgo from London , 21/03/2005

The story of two roommates in a mental institution who after two years are given a flat to live in and cope with the outside world is a charming, well thought through film.

The characters endear you to your heart and you can't help but care where the film is leading to. The subtitles are well done as they don't tear your eyes away from the action and everything is well handled.

If you are looking for a film along the lines of 'Pieces of April' and 'The Station Agent' give this a try. A real treat.

  21 out of 22 people found this review helpful
Report offending content.

Read all reviews

Rated - 4 starsA joy from beginning to end!

rodneytrotbags from Newcastle upon Tyne , 09/04/2005

If you enjoy your indie movies with a heart then you should put this to the top of your queue NOW!

This is a very well made film that deals with a sensitive subject perfectly, in that you're never laughing at the characters problem but always with them. And I laughed a lot.

It's a truly magical film with superb performances from the hilariously Neurotic Elling, random quote ("Kjell Bjarne seems to carry every person he meets.. Strange") and his dim but eager roommate Kjell Bjarne (who expresses his emotions via the medium of bashing his forehead of things).

It's a kind of surreal Odd Couple for the 21st Century and it's one of the best films I've seen for a long time.

  10 out of 10 people found this review helpful
Report offending content.

Read all reviews

Rated - 4 starsAn antidote to Hollywood

Chrispies from S Yorks , 10/04/2005

A beautifully pieced together movie that serves as a real antidote to formulaic mainstream Hollywood films.

The characters round which the story revolves are brought to life in an understated but highly convincing manner. The narrative demonstrates a dry wit as it tells the tale of two men who struggle to come to terms with the ebb and flow of everyday life with great sensitivity.

Highly recommended - one of the best movies I've seen for some time.

  9 out of 9 people found this review helpful
Report offending content.

Read all reviews

Rated - 2 starsLittle Men

THEBLUES from HANTS , 22/03/2005

Thought the film was charming. Two dysfunctional guys from homes let free into the real world to fen for themselves, the trials and tribulations they encounter, the way they bond as a couple, share things. I'm sure so much of this goes on in the world around us, that we are totally unaware of. The strange looking guy in the snack bar who talks to himself, or looks odd, and draws our attention for the wrong reasons.

There are stories here. And certainly this story was worthy of being told, and given our attention.

  9 out of 11 people found this review helpful
Report offending content.

Read all reviews

Most Recent Reviews

Rated - 3 starsFunny and Entertaining!

MitzyBlake from London , 21/10/2005

A very endearing and touching film exploring the relationship between two men just released from a mental institution. Extremely quirky and thoroughly recommended!

  1 out of 1 person found this review helpful
Report offending content.

Read all highest rated reviews

Rated - 5 starsMy new favourite film

camy from cambridgeshire , 11/05/2005

I was a bit dubious about renting this film as from past experience subtitled films can be a bit hardgoing. But I was blown away. The plot is unusual and draws you right in. The characters are likeable but at the same time very real and human. For anyone who has trouble fitting in this is the film for you.

  1 out of 1 person found this review helpful
Report offending content.

Read all highest rated reviews