Rating: 
Summary: Halarious!!
Review: I usually don't like Norwegian movies, even if I'm from Norway myself, but this movie is the funniest movie I've seen in a long time. Best Norwegian movie ever!
Rating:
Summary: One of the best movies I've ever seen.
Review: I went to this movie on a lark,..I thought "hey it's a Norwegian film,..and I'm part Norwegian,..I'll check it out". It was great because it was filmed in Norway, and helps you see some of that culture. It was great because it was a riot. It was great because I left the theater feeling like I learned some messages about life. It was great because normally I leave a theater regreting having gone,..but enjoy the popcorn and passive entertainment. But, this movie was different. I felt completely entertained, educated, and nurtured. So,..my conclusion,....it was "great".
Rating:
Summary: wonderful, wonderful, wonderful
Review: So simply told without pretense or intensions, "Elling" is a sweet movie bound to tug at any sensitive soul's heart strings. You can sum it up in a few sentences, "It's two guys in an apartment." "This movie makes you want to move to Norway," and "It's about a couple of very likeable characters." I love listening to the language and watching the city of Oslo. I hope that people in Norway are really this nice and that they really do care for their their indigent and psychiatric population like in this movie. As far as the movie, I was most impress with the two lead actors. They played their characters to a perfect pitch. Their isn't much to the plot, no antagonist, no spine tingling conflict or surypy hollywood resolution. It's just about people trying their best to live a normal life the way they know how. I also liked the soundtrack, I wonder where I can find the CD? You gotta love this movie. Makes you feel good.
Rating:
Summary: wonderful, wonderful, wonderful
Review: So simply told without pretense or intensions, "Elling" is a sweet movie bound to tug at any sensitive soul's heart strings. You can sum it up in a few sentences, "It's two guys in an apartment." "This movie makes you want to move to Norway," and "It's about a couple of very likeable characters." I love listening to the language and watching the city of Oslo. I hope that people in Norway are really this nice and that they really do care for their their indigent and psychiatric population like in this movie. As far as the movie, I was most impress with the two lead actors. They played their characters to a perfect pitch. Their isn't much to the plot, no antagonist, no spine tingling conflict or surypy hollywood resolution. It's just about people trying their best to live a normal life the way they know how. I also liked the soundtrack, I wonder where I can find the CD? You gotta love this movie. Makes you feel good.
Rating:
Summary: wonderful, wonderful, wonderful
Review: So simply told without pretense or intensions, "Elling" is a sweet movie bound to tug at any sensitive soul's heart strings. You can sum it up in a few sentences, "It's two guys in an apartment." "This movie makes you want to move to Norway," and "It's about a couple of very likeable characters." I love listening to the language and watching the city of Oslo. I hope that people in Norway are really this nice and that they really do care for their their indigent and psychiatric population like in this movie. As far as the movie, I was most impress with the two lead actors. They played their characters to a perfect pitch. Their isn't much to the plot, no antagonist, no spine tingling conflict or surypy hollywood resolution. It's just about people trying their best to live a normal life the way they know how. I also liked the soundtrack, I wonder where I can find the CD? You gotta love this movie. Makes you feel good.
Rating:
Summary: Tell your friends to see this one!
Review: Super, super, super.
Two guys in Oslo, terminally mismatched, pair up in a home for mentally disturbed adults. One is huge and maybe a little stupid and full of rage. The other is a bright but wounded and sheltered momma's boy - but then Momma died. After years of therapy (it's not clear how long they're institutionalized), they're released to try to make it on their own, with occasional checkups from a halfway-house sort of social worker who tries to help ease their transition back into society.
Watching these two fellows cope with a ringing phone, feeding themselves, the big bad world outside their apartment, traffic, a pregnant neighbor, and an old poet with a broken car is heartwarming, a little sad at times - but always you find yourself rooting for them to find happiness.
Their small triumphs, larger setbacks, and overall progress make for a touching, unbeat, and absolutely hilarious movie.
Rating: 
Summary: an original variation on banal themes with political import
Review: The film "Elling" is in many ways a riff on themes we're (all too) familiar with in the American cinema: mental impairment (Forest Gump, Rainman, One Flew Over the Cukoos Nest, etc.), friendship between two men, the role of the social welfare system in the lives of citizens.
The film also seems to include some tropes that have been circulating in recent films: the unwitting friendship between Elling and the (unbeknownst to him) famous poet calls to mind the plot of the Australian film "The Castle" where Mr. Kerrigan is befriended by a famous Constitutional lawyer.
Despite the familiarity of the thematic content, the film explores life in ways that the American cinema doesn't seem all that interested in at present: how the welfare state can actually help people, how artistic expression without personal recognition can be rewarding (no one can acknowledge Elling as "E," the sauerkraut poet), how a frienship can grow/expand when a romantic relationship is introduced for one of the original pair (the American cinema seems dogmatically intent on coupling without extraneous characters).All around, a very enjoyable film that raises some questions about the differences between Scandinavian and American social and political culture that we would be well served to consider.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent, brilliant, humoristic, serious
Review: There are a lot of words to be used to describe this movie. But not enough space:)
With its humoristic tone, but a serious message, this movie is enjoyable from start to end.
It might be because I am a Norwegian, and I know the local setting, that makes me enjoy this movie so much (believe me there are not that many successfull norwegian movies;), but it is definately recommended to everyone that wants to see an original movie with an original subject. I can not really describe the movie it self... I can just tell you my feelings about it...:) See it if you want a special experience!
Rating:
Summary: A Must See Film!
Review: There are many reviews about this film out there--what you want to know is if it is worth your time. I enjoy foreign films, character development, tight plots, and non-formulaic pieces. If you enjoy unusual films that employ mental humor and explore human frailties then this is a great bet for you. If you like films where lots of stuff has to happen at a fast past then don't bother. This is not a movie for people with short attention spans, ADD, too much caffeine in their systems, or overly judgmental attitudes. This isn't for the person who likes action, explosions, pointless sex, etc. in their movies. This film is very engaging and somewhat like reading a portion of a good book. In fact it is based on book 3 in a series of 4 novels (by Ingvar Ambjørnsen). This movie is well worth your time and I could see it over and over again. It is so funny that I laughed out loud at least every 5-10 minutes. It is a wonderful portrait of two uniquely eccentric men that softly illuminates the potential growth of the human spirit. I felt great after seeing it!
Rating:
Summary: You'll laugh 'til you cry
Review: There's nothing with which to compare this film. The Odd Couple? Perhaps, but I can't remember ever caring about Oscar and Felix as much as I cared about Elling and Kjell Bjarne. The entire audience was rooting for them, and the heartwarming ending made my eyes sting with tears of real emotion. I challenge anyone not to feel the same. In spite of lukewarm reception by American critics, Elling is bound to be an audience pleaser. It's full of the knee-slapping variety of funny while simultaneously featuring many moments that pull at the heartstrings. The story follows 2 men as they venture from the safe confines of a mental institution in rural Norway. Elling (the serious, dramatic character) longs only for a basic grasp on the world around him; Kjell Bjarne, the hulking, comedic character, wants something far more basic (though not necessarily easier to come by). Their affection for each other, oddly enough is not the least bit hard to believe. That fact stands as proof that the writing is superb. I can't recommend this film any more heartily. It will please the masses--the serious set will be happy to see a foreign film; those looking for comedy will not be disappointed.
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