First of all I'm Swedish, but I've always lived in the Netherlands. I speak Swedish, Dutch and English. Maybe this is the reason why I had a great time watching the movie. There are language and accent jokes (i.e. Gothenburg vs. Stockholm) and such which I really enjoyed, but these may lose their meaning in translation.
The acting may not be perfect, but it never really bothered me. Without subtitles the mumbling of the old man may cause some annoyance to Swedes, but anybody else won't have problems with appropriately placed subs.
Anyway, I might be going out on a limb here, but I can't help seeing parallels with the role of Sweden in recent history. I'm not a historian, but from what I know, some points made me think of another level.
Spoiler: Let me just point to some events with a big tongue in cheek, without proving anything:
Sweden has been neutral country since the beginning of the 20th century. (Allan makes friends all over the world, without choosing sides deliberately).
He is an explosives expert, since the beginning. (Swedish Alfred Nobel discovered dynamite not long before Allan was born).
Allan lost his ability to have children. (Is this the metaphor for being neutral/neutered the rest of his life? Later on he even says that this was more of a blessing than a curse).
Many big events are touched upon, but the Great Wars aren't really mentioned. Sweden had no official role in these wars.
They're might be more, feel free to elaborate.
End spoiler.
I couldn't help but to think of these parallels, so please reply if you think I have a lead, or if I am seeing things that aren't there.
Funny movie, great special effects, high quirkiness value,
Big 7/10,
Olof Magnus Wennardt
The acting may not be perfect, but it never really bothered me. Without subtitles the mumbling of the old man may cause some annoyance to Swedes, but anybody else won't have problems with appropriately placed subs.
Anyway, I might be going out on a limb here, but I can't help seeing parallels with the role of Sweden in recent history. I'm not a historian, but from what I know, some points made me think of another level.
Spoiler: Let me just point to some events with a big tongue in cheek, without proving anything:
Sweden has been neutral country since the beginning of the 20th century. (Allan makes friends all over the world, without choosing sides deliberately).
He is an explosives expert, since the beginning. (Swedish Alfred Nobel discovered dynamite not long before Allan was born).
Allan lost his ability to have children. (Is this the metaphor for being neutral/neutered the rest of his life? Later on he even says that this was more of a blessing than a curse).
Many big events are touched upon, but the Great Wars aren't really mentioned. Sweden had no official role in these wars.
They're might be more, feel free to elaborate.
End spoiler.
I couldn't help but to think of these parallels, so please reply if you think I have a lead, or if I am seeing things that aren't there.
Funny movie, great special effects, high quirkiness value,
Big 7/10,
Olof Magnus Wennardt
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