Elling (2001)

User Rating:

7.6/10   

Director:

Petter Næss

Writers:

Ingvar Ambjørnsen (novel)
Axel Hellstenius (writer)

Release Date:

16 March 2001 (Norway)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama

Tagline:

They're packed and ready for the greatest adventure of their lives. All they have to do is get out of the house.

Plot:

When his mother, who has sheltered him his entire 40 years, dies, Elling, a sensitive, would-be poet...

Plot Keywords:

Friendship | Poet | Horny Person | Nervous | Trip

Awards:

Nominated for Oscar. Another 13 wins & 3 nominations

Cast

Per Christian Ellefsen	...	Elling
Sven Nordin	...	Kjell Bjarne
Marit Pia Jacobsen	...	Reidun Nordsletten
Jørgen Langhelle	...	Frank Åsli
Per Christensen	...	Alfons Jørgensen
Hilde Olausson	...	Gunn
Ola Otnes	...	Hauger
Eli Anne Linnestad	...	Johanne
Cecilie A. Mosli	...	Cecilie Kornes (as Cecilie Mosli)
Joachim Rafaelsen	...	Haakon Willum
Per Gørvell	...	Eriksen (as Per Gørvel)
Knud Dahl	...	Waiter at bar
Knut Haugmark	...	Porter

Also Known As:

Brødre i blodet (Norway)
Me, My Friend and I (International: English title) (festival title)

MPAA:

Rated R for language and some sexual content.

Runtime:

89 min

Country:

Norway

Language:

Norwegian

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR

Certification:

Finland:K-11 | France:U | Germany:6 | Norway:11 | Spain:13 | Sweden:7 | Switzerland:12 (canton of the Grisons) | Switzerland:7 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:7 (canton of Vaud) | USA:R | Netherlands:AL | Spain:T | Argentina:Atp | UK:15 | Iceland:L

Filming Locations:

Oslo, Norway

Company:

Maipo Film- og TV Produksjon

Trivia:

Every scene from Elling's neighborhood were shot around Majorstuen, on Oslo's west side. The locations, such as the grocery store where he hides his poems in packages of sauerkraut, and the diner where they eat dinner are all very real places. Both in name and appearance the shop and diner look exactly the same today.

Quotes:

[Ticket ordering continued]
Train ticket salesman: That'll be 130 kroner per ticket.
Elling: 130 kroner? The last time mother and I took the train to Larvik the ticket cost 25.
Train ticket salesman: That must have been about 30 years ago.
Elling: Yes

Movie Connections:

Featured in The 74th Annual Academy Awards (2002) (TV)

Hold on to your dream

This is the main theme of the film: Hold on to your dream and never give up in life.

I think Per Christian Ellefsen's performance as Elling was pretty much the best acting I've seen in my life. Sven Nordin reminds a little bit of Gerard Depardieu, and the character he plays reminds a tiny bit of Lenny of "Of Mice And Men" but more intelligent.

It's the story of two men who are apparently too old to start their "own" lives, but virtually have to do so by all means as a result of their lives up to date. Neither of them is substantially retarded or mad, just a little bit over-eccentric which makes things harder for them. One day, the competent authorities of the Norwegian government decide to release them from their "captivity" in the institution, and give them a chance to live a "real life" on their very own, and social worker Frank is there to assist them. It won't be easy for the two socially-impaired men, but it will turn out to be easier and nicer than they (especially Elling) fear.

The rest is for you to watch in the film. And by all means, watch it! Per Christian Ellefsen's acting is absolutely fascinating, and everything is well put in the scenario. A beautiful film from a beautiful country.