This Movie is Rated PG – For mild language

 This is a very charming and funny Swedish/Norwegian film (yes, it has English subtitles). In 1950, the Home Research Institute (located in Sweden) has decided to study the kitchen habits of single men in Norway. In order to do this, they have a researcher sit quietly in the corner of the subject’s kitchen making notes and mapping out the foot traffic. Having contact of any kind with the subject is strictly forbidden. I just have to say the chairs they sit in are ridiculous, they resemble very tall highchairs.

The movie focuses mainly on two characters, Isak (Joachim Calmeyer) and Folke (Tomas Norstrom). They are both wonderful actors. Large portions of the film have no dialogue, so it is up to them to tell the story and hold our interest with just facial expressions and actions. Joachim and Tomas are definitely up to that task.

Isak is the subject of the study. He signed up to participate, but then started to regret his decision. This leads to him being a rather uncooperative subject. Including not even allowing the researcher in the house for several days. Folke is the researcher. He takes his job seriously and doesn’t give up easily. In fact he goes so far as to stand on a ladder outside Isak’s second story bedroom window just waiting and hoping he will notice him.

During the day Folke spends his time sitting in his very tall chair in the corner of the kitchen observing Isak (or at least trying to observe him). At night he goes out to his company provided travel trailer to eat dinner and sleep. The trailer is so cute; almost a teardrop shape and the inside looks very handcrafted (solid wood cupboard doors, etc).

Since Isak is not thrilled with the idea of being watched, he makes life difficult for Folke. Like cooking his meals on a hotplate in his bedroom, leaving Folke sitting by himself in the kitchen, in the dark. Or sitting in the kitchen eating something, but turning out the light so Folke can’t see him. Isak even drilled a peephole through the floor in his bedroom so he could spy on him without being noticed.

It’s a battle of wills for a while. However, eventually they start to interact with each other a bit. Of course, you know what will happen once they start down that path, more interaction and eventually conversation.

It is a slower paced film, but by no means is it boring. The characters are interesting and at times very quirky. It’s a lovely story about human interaction. Don’t let the idea of subtitles put you off, since it is not a dialogue heavy movie they are quite easily managed.

Some of my favorite quotes:

Malmberg – “It just felt so wrong to drive on the right-hand side. As if all my innards were being yanked over to the left.”

Malmberg – “He never cooks in the kitchen?”

Folke – “I think he prepares most of his food in his bedroom.”

Isak – “Next week I have to take a bath.”

Green – “You wouldn’t happen to have any liquor to lend us?”

Green – “Observe yourself for Christ’s sake!”

Isak – “How can we understand each other without communication.”

Malmberg – “Bjorvik was asleep in your chair.”

Folke – “Oh sh*t!”

Malmberg – “That’s putting it mildly.”

Isak – “Have you ever had a good relationship with a swan?”

Folke – “No, I can’t say that I have.”

Isak – “Exactly.”

Folke – “You have a whole room full of pepper.”

Jan

P.S. Comments are welcomed. Scroll towards the bottom of the page (below the spoiler section) to where it says “Click Here to Make a Comment”. Or on entries from previous days there is a comment box.

Following is additional information about the movie that contains spoilers. If you don’t want to be spoiled don’t read any further.

I love it when Isak is eating his chocolate bar and decides he doesn’t like Folke watching him, so he turns out the light and sits there eating it in the dark. However, it turns out that Folke is prepared, he puts on a headlamp and then turns it on. Thus putting Isak in a bright spotlight.

It was so sweet when Folke arranged a birthday celebration for Isak in his little trailer. He had cake, complete with candles, and bourbon. They were both dressed up in suits and ties, enjoying the refreshments and each other’s company.

Yeah Folke, for deciding that his friendship with Isak was more important than returning his trailer back to company headquarters in Sweden. It was great when he just unhooked it at the Norwegian/Swedish border and headed back to Isak’s house.

Tags: dvd, joachim calmeyer, movie, norwegian, review, swedish, tomas norstrom

This entry was posted on Tuesday, May 5th, 2009 at 12:01 AM and is filed under Movie Posts. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.