Rating: 
Summary: "Elling" Transcends the Stereotypes
Review: "Elling" is the first film I've ever seen that transcends the popular film industry stereotypes and portrays people with mental illness as fully functioning three dimensional people, with both emotional and intellectual motivations as characters in a film. The prevailing "Hollywood" characterizations of mental illness seems to use three templates to portray mentally ill characters: 1) the over-the-top violent sociopath who is a dangerous predatory beast i.e...Hannibal the Cannibal; 2) the unstable visionary savant who can hardly function but is either intellectually brilliant or has or possesses some sort of supernatural power to compensate i.e...Russell Crowe in "Beautiful Mind" or Dustin Hoffman in "Rainman". or, 3) the loveable, laughable, whacky lunatic who can't fit into society and is a walking time-bomb i.e...Jack Nicholson in "Cuckoo's Nest." This adaptation of Norwegian writer Ingvar Ambjorsen's best selling novel is a nuanced view of the lives of two mentally ill wards of the state as they struggle to adapt to living as roommates; and they try to make sense of often puzzling and arbitrary codes of "normal" social behavior. At times it is hilarious, but just as Director Peter Naess lures you into a warm and fuzzy feeling, he gives you a glimpse at the simmering rage of his main characters Elling and Kjell. Having worked as a case worker for transitional mental health patients, I can say that "Elling" is the only film I've ever seen that "gets it right" and doesn't approach the subject of mental illness in a condescending or derivative manner. Elling and Kjell aren't lovable loonies or dangerous whackos from central casting. There is a great deal of humor in "Elling" but none of it is used to demean or stereotype the principal characters. When a young punk poet, in bondage gear and Kiss whiteface screams his menacing poetry at a coffee house, it causes an anxiety attack for Elling...but it also begs the question, "Who's the crazy one, here?." The brilliance of "Elling",however is the two actors who play Elling and Kjell. Per Christian Ellefsen (as Elling) is a fascinating and gentle soul in a constant struggle to keep his obsessions, agoraphobia and anti-social tendencies from consuming him. His sense of equilibrium is threatened by a trip to the grocery store or even picking up the phone and talking. On the other hand, Sven Nordin (as Kjell) is a hulking and affable man (think Gerard Depardieu) who is prone to wild mood swings that lead to socially inappropriate behavior. Kjell's innocence leads him to unwittingly make remarks to women which are regarded as inappropriate in polite society. Kjell is more than capable of a loving , caring sexual relationship but doesn't have the social skills to establish rapport with a female. As the film progress the two roommates are slowly transformed into fully functional people, albeit, people who still have a lot of problems, but now have the tools to adapt to the perplexing world of social norms. Elling's friendship with elderly bohemian intellectual who shares his passion for poetry provides him with self confidence in his own tentative attempt to write poetry. Kjell's friendship as an informal caretaker for an upstairs neighbor develops into a romantic relationship, as the her pregnancy from a prior lover progresses. Kjell realizes he loves the woman and will help her care for the child as if the child was his own flesh and blood. Both Elling and Kjell anchor each other's erratic behaviors in ways that the viewer never anticipates, and they are often stunned by thier own abilty to say the right thing at the right time, to keep their roommate from spinning out of control. It's a inspiring form of peer therapy. It is the intriguing and often quirky relationship between our two roommates, Elling and Kjell, that brings the magic to this film. Per Christian and Sven played the principal roles in the stage play of "Elling"; so if you sense that they bring a sense familiar comfort to their acting chemistry, it's because they've shared the stage for hundreds of performances as Elling and Kjell. This movie production of Elling was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film in 2001, and is shot entirely in Oslo Norway which is a captivating and under used European film location.
Rating:
Summary: if you watch one movie before you die, make it this one.
Review: (and that's saying something, because I am a diehard original star wars fiend.) not that this movie has any relation to star wars; far from it. Elling is an amazing movie. the characters suck you into their world...I've never actually seen this movie in english, but I would recommend it to anyone, everyone, anywhere. (the other reviews seem to have done a good job summarizing the plot, so I figured I'd go for the emotional punch.)
Rating:
Summary: if you watch one movie before you die, make it this one.
Review: (and that's saying something, because I am a diehard original star wars fiend.) not that this movie has any relation to star wars; far from it. Elling is an amazing movie. the characters suck you into their world...I've never actually seen this movie in english, but I would recommend it to anyone, everyone, anywhere. (the other reviews seem to have done a good job summarizing the plot, so I figured I'd go for the emotional punch.)
Rating:
Summary: charming story of friends growing past their limitations
Review: Elling (Per Christian Ellefsen) and Kjell (Sven Nordin) are roommates in a Norwegian institution, and as the film begins they are being released and given an apartment in Oslo, under the supervision of a social worker, to see whether or not they can survive and thrive on their own. The film takes us through their painful first weeks, when Kjell is driven by sexual frustration and Elling fears leaving the apartment or even answering the telephone, and continues as they develop competence, confidence and even friendships. This is a touching story but is not told as an inspirational or overly sentimental tale; instead it is very human and often quite funny, with a terrific script by Madeleine Fant. I really enjoyed these two characters as well as those they meet throughout the film, which was nominated for a foreign film Oscar, deservedly so. Director Petter Naess has done a fine job. The dvd contains no language or subtitle options. Extras are minimal -- three trailers.
Rating:
Summary: A feel good movie about friends
Review: Elling is a funny and at times touching film set in Oslo, Norway. It follows the lives of two friends Elling and Kjell Bjarne as they try to adjust to a normal life after having spent two years together in a mental institution as roomies. Elling and Kjell Bjarne are so unalike Elling is the knowledgably, sophisticated and weedy looking one and while Kjell Bjarne is more of a brute prone to angry outbursts. Elling is interested in poetry while Kjell Bjarne is more interested in sex. They are given an opportunity to show that they can cope on their own when the state decides to give them an apartment and a social worker (Frank). In the beginning even the simplest things like shopping or answering the phone are obstacles they must learn to overcome. There are some serious moments but on the whole the film is very upbeat. You find yourself rooting for Elling and Kjell Bjarne hoping that the friendship they have built doesn't come tumbling down as they each make new friends and are drawn in differing directions. It's a touching movie with laughs and a few tugged heartstrings. There is a moment at the end of the movie that has you more than hoping for an upbeat ending. Don't let the fact that Elling a foreign film put you off. The film still gives you the full gambit of emotions without you having to understand a word of Norwegian. The film comes with easy to read subtitles and a story line that's easy to follow.
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Summary: One of the best true love stories I have ever seen ......
Review: I can not believe that this movie has been reviewed as a comedy! Just because there are laughs and uncomfortable moments that are funny does NOT make this a comedy, this is rather a film study of two disparate characters who truly have a relationship for each other, and, OK now hold on to your horses, it's NOT a gay relationship. Trust me that is a marvel in itself since if this film were made in the USA, for sure the director could not avoid the temptation of injecting that stupidity into the film.
Seems like all the movies of today on this side of the ocean can't have two men having any kind of relationship unless it's gay! I have been so CONDITIONED now to this that I actually waited for the whole movie to end before I realized what a wonderfull non gay movie it was.
In this film both young men are released into the community after spending four years or so rooming together at a mental institution. Elling has agrophobia giving him a total panic fear of leaving his own room never mind his apartment and his roomate is a bumbling quiet gentle giant that rarely speaks and is basically obsesses with sex and food. Both of them are moved by the state into a two bedroom apartment in Oslo in preparation for them to integrate back into society. Their individual struggles with their obsessions as they try to develop relationships outside of their circle of two are incredibly filmed, and the viewer is treated to what I believe is the main theme of this film, the incredibly deep and strong love and affection that the two of them have for each other as they just try to make it trough the day.
Finally, this movie is certainly not for the veiwer that just wants to sit back and BE ENTERTAINED it requires some thought, unless you speak Norwegian, and some empathy to the story as it is wonderfully developed by a super director.....
Rating:
Summary: A must see Gem
Review: I picked this movie up on a whim at Blockbuster and have to say it is one of the best foreign films of 2002. The director and the actors do a great job of pulling you in and really caring and loving these nutty guys. To watch these two men who couldn't have been more opposite grow to love each other and need each other can teached us all a lesson not only in human nature but I think it has help me to become more sympathetic to those with mental disease. This movie will make you howl and it will make you cry with joy over the love these two guys have for each other.
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Summary: Dumb and Dumber
Review: I recently rented this movie, and I must admit that I only took it home because of the incredibly funny cover. However, I was surprised to find out that the actual film was as funny as the artwork on the outside. It is about Elling, a recluse who has spent a majority of his life hiding in his apartment alongside his mother. After she dies, he is taken to live in a state-run institution, where he meets Kjell Barnes. Kjell, has lived in institutions most of his life and is obsessed with food and sex. They are released together to their own apartment and freedom where the movie really begins to take form. Nominated for best Foreign Film in 2002 by the Academy Awards, this comedy will keep you laughing and feeling lucky that you are not an Elling or Kjell Barnes.
Rating: 
Summary: beautifully acted, wonderfully written
Review: I thought this movie was wonderful. I love the "odd couple" friendship Kjell and Elling have. I think the dialog is beautifully written - it truly felt like a novel that came to life. (I later discovered that Elling was actually based on the Norwegian novel). There are some really great lines here, I want to list my favorites.. but I think it would be more enjoyable if you heard them in the movie before reading them here. You'll laugh out loud (and silently) and sympathize wholeheartedly with Elling. I highly recommend this film to anyone who can read. (the movie is in subtitles). The only reason I gave this 4/5stars is that I thought the ending felt a little lingering. If there was a 4.5 I could give, it would have gotten that score.
Rating:
Summary: beautifully acted, wonderfully written
Review: I thought this movie was wonderful. I love the "odd couple" friendship Kjell and Elling have. I think the dialog is beautifully written - it truly felt like a novel that came to life. (I later discovered that Elling was actually based on the Norwegian novel). There are some really great lines here, I want to list my favorites.. but I think it would be more enjoyable if you heard them in the movie before reading them here. You'll laugh out loud (and silently) and sympathize wholeheartedly with Elling. I highly recommend this film to anyone who can read. (the movie is in subtitles). The only reason I gave this 4/5stars is that I thought the ending felt a little lingering. If there was a 4.5 I could give, it would have gotten that score.
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