Rating: 
Summary: One of most impressive films of 2000
Review: It's disgraceful that this film took so long to reach America; and still more disgraceful that it will play in only a few major cities. I caught it in NYC, and it's a superb mixture of Luis Bunuel, Jean Marie Straub and Godard. Andersson moves his camera exactly once in the entire film (a slow tracking shot), as he chronicles a series of interconnected episodes documenting corporate greed, the commodification of religion, the hopelessness of faith in "compassionate government," and creates a film (his second in 24 years!) that is resonant, funny as hell, and deeply moving. After his first feature, Andersson turned to directing commercials for Swedish television (Ingmar Bergman calls them his favorite examples of contemporary filmmaking), and then sank all of his own money into creating Songs From The Second Floor, eventually obtaining outside financing to finish the film. Think of what Terry Gilliam or Monty Python as a whole might have accomplished if they had any real talent or insight, and you'll get some idea of the genius of this film. An absolute must see, currently available only on VHS in PAL format in the UK. Should be released on DVD in the US immediately; this is one of most important and deeply felt films of the new century.
Rating: 
Summary: When the World Crumbles; Very Quirky Swedish Comedy
Review: Leaping one scene to another, each shot with one long continuous take (and the camera that does not move), 'Songs from the Second Floor' is like no other films you've ever seen. Well, some might remember Jacques Tati; some Samuel Becket. You may call it comedy, sure. But this Swedish film is so quirky that the only way for you to realize its worth is to watch it. And on DVD, at 3 am. alone.
It's not the story that counts; but the atmosphere of one unnamed city where people are anticipating the end of the country, or possibly the world itself. A total confusion of the dismal society is represented by the gray city and its ever-clouded sky, where no sunshine can be seen. The traffic is heavily conjested by the cars heading for somewhere else, but they cannot move at all. And as if to show the lost souls, the most of the characters are wearing white make-ups.
And ... those characters, who behave so absurdly. They do not move or talk fast; slowly, very slowly, however, the film shows the ridiculous side of their actions. One visits his mentally-ill son in hospital, where he is taken away by the guards instead. Another is followed by a ghost in a cafe. And my favorite is the world's most wretched magic on stage.
But though I find these scenes funny, I know not all would share my feelings. The film's characters are often 'deadpan'; some scenes look drawn-out beyond limits; and as the film does not use the traditional linear storytelling, you might find it too boring even after laughing out loud five minutes before. And all the actors are non-professionals (literally 'found' in such places as street or shopping center), and it clearly shows.
If you want to see a very unique film, which is quite open for interpretations, see this one. The only way to express its strange (acquired) taste is to use this word 'quirky.' 'Songs from the Second Floor' -- and what a quirky title! -- is deliciously so, probably requires our repeated viewings. As to its visual (with no costly CGIs), it is worth of it.
By the way, the film is inspired by a poem 'Tranpie Entre Dos Estrellas' by Peruvian poet Cesar Vallejo. The music is composed by Benny Andersson, the keyboard player of one pop group ABBA.
Rating:
Summary: a masterpiece
Review: Songs From the Second Floor is the best film I've seen in a long time. The movie is unconventional in that it has no plot and is filled with a number of events that don't always follow one another.
I think the primary focus of the film however is on the man whose picture appears on the box cover. In the beginning of the film he burns down his furnature store in order to collect insurance money. He also has a son who drove himself crazy writing poetry. After he burned down his business, he trys to make a living selling crucifixes.
Along our journey in this film we see a number of people who are either in great dispair, suffering or are on the verge of a mental collapse. Along our journey in life, we experience pretty much what is shown in this film. I love this film because it vividly shows what life is like but at the same time it's very dream-like. What is life but one mishap or mistake after another?
The film is also very funny. The part in particular which made me laugh was when there was a scene when a man had just been apparently fired from his job then he clings on to his bosses leg like a kid repeating the same thing over and over again.
Rating:
Summary: Esthetically stunning and visually poetic...
Review: Songs from the Second Floor is visually stunning as it esthetically illustrates a cynical view of the human existence. This view consists of a kaleidoscope of scenes that personify desire, fear, guilt, and anxiety among other human traits. These human characteristics are symbolically tied up with the everlasting traffic jam that is depicted in the film as the characters are constantly unavailable for each other as they are trying to get somewhere better. This search could be a quest for happiness; however, the search itself might be the cause of the gloomy state of the characters. Songs from the Second Floor is based on a poem by Caesar Vallejo, and Andersson extracts the darkness of the verse as he brings a brilliant cinematic experience to the silver screen, which will cerebrally agonize the audience in a poetic and artistic manner.
Rating: 
Summary: Glad I Rented It and Didn't Buy Ut
Review: The cover caught my attention while surfing the web for foreign movies and then I ran into it at the video store the next day.
I will be the first to admit that I enjoy the content/story of a movie first, followed by the photography, sound and interpretations.
Although I was intrigued by the overweight character and a few of the comical situations - his appearance while smudged with soot, the scenes with the crucifixes and his repetition of "He wrote poetry until he went nuts", while describing his son in the mental institution, it was not until I sat through the Director's Comments after viewing the movie that I understood many of the scenes. Much of it had to do with the economic and social history of Sweden. Since I know next to nothing about such, I did not understand the movie while watching it. Now that I understand much of the symbolism I would describe it as marginally interesting.
Rating:
Summary: Worth a look
Review: This film combines the pacing of Eraserhead, the mood of Edvard Munch's "The Scream", the stark beauty of Edward Hopper's paintings & the humor of Rita Rudner on her darkest day. Each scene is fresh and daring so that despite the slow pace, you rarely get bored. The camera work is deliberately NON action-oriented. Hence, the camera (almost) never pans, fades, etc; it simply records. Depth and texture are composed in each shot as if the cinematographer is painting a picture (in fact, most opening shots in each scene are worthy of framing). The humor is fiercely dark, but only the most concrete will call it inappropriate. Each tragic (and often simultaneously hilarious) scene smacks you across the face while tickling something inside . . . the priest who chews away at dinner and recoils from his parishioner's angst, then narcissisitically makes the encounter all about himself; the guy rummaging through the trash who inadvertently stirs up more life than he bargained for; the son gone mad because he wrote too much poetry along with his father who is repeatedly dragged from the psychiatric institute for uncontrollably screaming at his "crazy" kid; a field of dead people resurrected and in retreat from an angry, failed salesman of crucifixes.) If you know for certain that you are only satisfied by action-oriented, Hollywood blockbusters, this is not the right film for you. If, however, you like to occasionally push the envelope and take a walk on the psychologically wilder side, this film (despite the few scenes that don't work) is worth a look. But remember, the pacing is VERY different than mainstream films, so get in the right frame of mind before you push PLAY.
Rating:
Summary: Humans trapped by dying city/gov/relig/economy
Review: This film illustrates how we all have cultified & built up these social structures of the economy, government, religion, cities, and become so thoroughly dependent on them, that if anything happens to these, we cannot function as humans anymore.
All these governing institutions we built up to take care of us, completely expecting these institutions would last forever. As they grew, they became very dysfunctional, corrupt, and the humans become dehumanized, lemmings riding the subway, sitting in gridlocked cars.
As the governing institutions became poisonous and non-helpful to us, the humans cannot figure out what to do, so wander around in a stupor and denial, bargaining and making dehumanizing deals: "If I fire my loyal slave, sell Jesus-as-a-trinket, or sacrifice the girl, maybe it will keep disaster away or the gods happy a little bit longer"..
We all have worked in situations where we or management sacrifices something or somebody to please the idiot boss, taxpayers or angry gods.
This film also shows how we individually refuse to take responsiblity for the lack of humanity and bureaucracy we contribute to situations.
Rating:
Summary: Now this is something to be looking for...
Review: This is the single best movie I've ever seen!!! and i dont say that about many movies... this one has been on the first spot since i saw it for the first time (and i figure it'll be for many many years)
It manages to go from the most profound and artistic scenes to the funniest, most amusing situations anyone could have imagined without even putting a single step into the classical "funny".
Throughout the movie, all the characters are struck by constant tragedy and the absurd situations make an excellent criticism of society, but the movie manages to make it look funny, absurd, stupid and completely true.
Everything in the movie is excellent... you couldn't ask for anything more... great story, great sound, great acting (well, for what it stands for, the acting is very good), great ambientation, great dialogue, much inovation, great scenes...
Every scene in this movie is carefully cared for. Roy Andersson is a genius.
Rating:
Summary: Its hard to be human these days......
Review: What is this film about ? It is about strange things happening in a strange city ? What is this absurd traffic that cars are stuck in for days, without moving even for a few feet ? Where is everybody going ? What went wront with the magicians act and almost killed the volunteer from the audience ?
In short what is Anderson trying to say ? A lot. And it is all an alegory about the human life. Trapped in convention, in relations, like being stuck in the traffic, working hard and as the hero says "try to put some food on the table, and enjoy oneself". It is also a criticism of the establishment and power. When people trust their lives in authority that is supposed to take care of them, like trusting that the magician will not cut you in half but will make the trick work, but things go wrong. Like when a mental patient is wearing the doctor's robe and nobody understands the difference.
The imagery of the film is stunning to say the least, the photography, the colors, the camera that never moves, the ever lasting deep focus that captures foreground and background and does not miss anything. Oh, this is a masterpiece. It reminded me of Tarkofski, although lighter and more approachable, and also Angelopoulos, although not so slow.
I would recomend this film to everyone. And if you are puzzled at the end about what it all means you will get a lot of answers on the special features section where you can see the entire film from the beginning with the director explaining his concept and answering questins about the technical aspects of the film and about its message.
One of the best films of the past 10 years I would say.
Rating:
Summary: Better Than Both Wes and P.T. Put Together....
Review: www...com offers insight into the film that cannot have been seen enough in North America. The site can also direct Inquiries to when the DVD will be available, to a British Production company still working on the English release. And from the quick response that i received, it sounds as though they appreciate the interest and would like us to have the film sooner than later. I wish to purchase this for every fan of film that i know.
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