Together on DVD (2000)

Involving and funny

A customer from Brighton , 10/07/2004

Together is about a commune in the seventies and brilliantly evokes the idealism and sense of adventure and fun.

Together was full of interesting and believable characters. It was funny in a gentle way and had interesting and warm hearted observations on human motivation and behaviour, particularly human failings! I found this film absorbing and entertaining. It was very well written and very well acted!

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All Together Now

Tempelton from Hertfordshire , 26/05/2005

Like a little and more affable brother to Lars Von Trier's 'The Idiots', 'Together' explores the dynamics of an uninhibited (or so they initially think) bunch of hippies living in a northern European commune.

Set against the politically radical backdrop of the 1970's, this film plays with it's character's sexual and social identities. Hilariously disparaging of the concept of 'free love', the film depicts the heartache of Goran, the hippie wimp, who is forced to meekly nod his approval as his girlfriend openly aches for the arms of another hippie wimp! It also demonstrates, through the central relationship of Elizabeth, who leaves her abusive husband, Rolf, and finds refuge at the commune, the brave new world of alternative identity that was experimented with in the 1970's. (And yet, at the same time, it hints that these 'alternatives' were merely the same old modes of interaction, dressed up to appear exciting and new).

And yet, as judgemental as all this might sound, there is undoubtedly a non-patronising empathy on behalf of the film-maker for his characters, who are indeed depicted as deeply confused, but also brave enough to consider new approaches to their dysfunctional lives.

Notable also is the intoxicating marriage of image and music, such as when the various characters gather together for play football in the snow whilst Abba blares gloriously from the screen - it is a well-earned moment of pure and optimistic cinematic joy!

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Not all gloom

Hierophant from Ipswich , 26/02/2004

In this film writer/director Lukas Moodysson gives the viewer a snapshot of the tensions and internal politics of a Swedish commune wonderfully quickly and with a bare minimum of exposition.

There is hardly a wasted moment in this film, the camera moves with the characters when it needs to and at other times is perfectly still. The best way to describe the feel of this film is to use the word “poised”.

The cast, in particular the four children, all do superbly well - the confidence of their performances are directly related to the quality of the script that Moodysson has delivered.

When settling down to watch Together, set aside all thoughts of Ingmar Bergman and pressing doom. The film is a warm hearted and flawlessly intelligent portrayal of life amongst a group of idealists living through one of the high points of the 1970s, before the rot of disillusionment set in.

An interesting counterpoint to his more recent 'Lilya 4 Ever'

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an absolute gem from Sweden

highland coo from Scotland , 05/03/2006

This excellent film by the talented Lukas Moodysson is a comedy about a group of young idealist hippies living in a Swedish commune in the 1970's. It is a gentle and humourous insight into a completely disfunctional community whos members are so engrossed in their own ideals that they fail to achieve even the most basic human relationships with those around them. It is amusing watching how some of the members twist their ideals to achieve their own selfish desires and how others become utterly narrow-minded (such as the couple who won't let their kids read a popular childrens book because the hero of the book is a 'materialist').

I used to live in a community many years ago (not dissimilar to the one in the film) and I laughed throughout this film as i recognized many of the traits and failings of the characters and could identify the characters with many real-life people.

Ultimately, the film is very warm and touching and celebrates the importance of human relationships, inclusivity, and togetherness. It is a feel-good film and is guaranteed to make you laugh. Definitely 5 stars.

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A real feelgood film

hazza77 from Newhaven , 01/11/2005

This is a really enjoyable film with many excellent touches and a brilliant finale. Watch it and feel good afterwards.

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Involving and funny

A customer from Brighton , 10/07/2004

Together is about a commune in the seventies and brilliantly evokes the idealism and sense of adventure and fun.

Together was full of interesting and believable characters. It was funny in a gentle way and had interesting and warm hearted observations on human motivation and behaviour, particularly human failings! I found this film absorbing and entertaining. It was very well written and very well acted!

Read all highest rated reviews