Australia is having a love affair with Swedish cinema and as a person (not Asa Persson) from Australia I found this poignant whimsical satire of the bitch and un-famous quite a delicious social comment prevalent among shallow shop-girl-preppy exec set. This film is about friendship and the emptiness among the 'Desperate Shopgirls' of Stockholm and their equally mean and selfish male counterparts. I really liked the bouncy music score that allowed the viewer to know this is a wry and heartfelt comedy of modern bad manners and social errors. However it also is about just how truly unfair life is for any generation without ramming it home. It is subtle, quiet and very deliberately presented in gorgeous widescreen photography that shows Stocholm as the breathtaking but cold city it really is. I will not give away any plot but if you and your partner are willing to engage your brain with a sophisticated journey of self discovery from unlikely generational mix, then you will have much to discuss. The so called sophisticated bar scene friendships satirised among this pack of unpleasant shallow 30 somethings is genuinely enjoyable. DARLING is quietly excellent.
14 Reviews
A Swedish "Lost in translation" light: likable but sketchy.
ozjeppe21 September 2009
A Swedish "Lost in translation" light, if you like: Young, spoiled (and seemingly zombie-like) rich girl gets a dose of reality check sliding down the upper-class ladder, as she loses her job, posh friends and is forced to get a menial job at a McDonald's. There she meets and befriends an older, gentle divorcée with a similarly sad past.
Small, satirical urban drama of our time's morals, shallowness and urban alienation is likable for sure, but the sparse, undeveloped info about most of its characters (which of course is the purpose) also gives the movie itself an anonymous feel of sketchiness... and waaay too short a running time to really score. Warm performance by Segerström, though, a promising debut by Meadows and nicely shot in a wintry Stockholm. Most critical point made about our modern city rut of life, is the fact that the almost only human and kind character gets treated the worst!
5 out of 10 from Ozjeppe.
Small, satirical urban drama of our time's morals, shallowness and urban alienation is likable for sure, but the sparse, undeveloped info about most of its characters (which of course is the purpose) also gives the movie itself an anonymous feel of sketchiness... and waaay too short a running time to really score. Warm performance by Segerström, though, a promising debut by Meadows and nicely shot in a wintry Stockholm. Most critical point made about our modern city rut of life, is the fact that the almost only human and kind character gets treated the worst!
5 out of 10 from Ozjeppe.
Morality for beginners
stensson25 February 2007
This Swedish movie has had some nice press here. Maybe because of the long time passed, since such a movie was done.
It's about the posh nouveau riche and their empty lives. But it's too pedagogic. Everything starts from scratch, to make the audience understand that the poshs really do have these empty lives, on the contrary to the other main character, the 60-year-old unemployed. He's almost a Jesus figure, getting humiliated in different ways, both by his family and his young employers. But his goodness remains.
You could maybe have swalloved that, but the problem with the poshs is that they somehow are like extras with lines. No real complication here. Just a saga there the end is obvious. Or maybe not. The bus scene in the end suggests something else, but I'm not sure I want to see a "Darling 2".
It's about the posh nouveau riche and their empty lives. But it's too pedagogic. Everything starts from scratch, to make the audience understand that the poshs really do have these empty lives, on the contrary to the other main character, the 60-year-old unemployed. He's almost a Jesus figure, getting humiliated in different ways, both by his family and his young employers. But his goodness remains.
You could maybe have swalloved that, but the problem with the poshs is that they somehow are like extras with lines. No real complication here. Just a saga there the end is obvious. Or maybe not. The bus scene in the end suggests something else, but I'm not sure I want to see a "Darling 2".
From cashmere to cotton and back again
richard_sleboe3 October 2007
Warning: Spoilers
Lift them up high, lest we miss it when they fall. The plot is pure Aristoteles, sympathy and terror brought to you in a modern-looking, yet inherently classic tale so simple and loaded it almost qualifies as a parable. "Darling" tells the story of rich girl going down. Essentially, it's Bob Dylan's "Like a Rolling Stone" re-arranged as a movie by acclaimed writer-director Johan Kling. Trying to settle in, Eva (Michelle Meadows) becomes unlikely allies with Bernard (Michael Segerström), a retired divorcée. The lonely girl kindles new hope in the old man, but it doesn't last. Just as Eva starts building a modest life of her own, she is yanked back by another passing stranger: back downtown from the suburbs, back into the jet-set from the working class, out of the bus and into a car. Bernard stays behind as Eva slides out of view in her new boyfriend's shiny SUV. Well-scripted, superbly acted and attractively photographed in a syncopated mix of wide-angle and extreme close-up shots. Includes priceless vintage footage of Jerry Williams dancing to his "Number One". Oh, and Michelle Meadows is really, really cute for a blonde. Pity Johan Kling explicitly told her not to smile on screen. Trust me, hers is a million dollar smile.
A lot of food for thought
dh0420 July 2008
Warning: Spoilers
Darling is my favorite type of film because the characters are multi dimensional. The director Johan Kling gets me inside the head of almost any character in a way that reminds me of the American director Todd Solondz. It's entirely character driven and the plot is just a background to get to know the characters and how they interact.
Although set in an upper class environment Darling is not a film about the ways of the upper class specifically because the same kind of behavior as the characters display, shallowness and self centeredness can be found anywhere. Rather the film depicts differences between generations and what values have taken over in society. The young people in this film are putting too much value on what other people think of them, wanting to be admired and have the attributes that brings status rather than be loved for what they really are. It's more important to belong to the "right" group of people than that the friendships are real.
The main character Eva is in the middle of this world, trapped in it. And the other big character in the film, Bernhard, who is much older and completely outside of that world is focused on being nice and positive as opposed to being self absorbed and gaining status. Unfurtunatly he also lets the world treat him as a doormat.
All in all the film is very original and a good comment about how we treat each other and ourselves and how we let us get treated by others in society.
Although set in an upper class environment Darling is not a film about the ways of the upper class specifically because the same kind of behavior as the characters display, shallowness and self centeredness can be found anywhere. Rather the film depicts differences between generations and what values have taken over in society. The young people in this film are putting too much value on what other people think of them, wanting to be admired and have the attributes that brings status rather than be loved for what they really are. It's more important to belong to the "right" group of people than that the friendships are real.
The main character Eva is in the middle of this world, trapped in it. And the other big character in the film, Bernhard, who is much older and completely outside of that world is focused on being nice and positive as opposed to being self absorbed and gaining status. Unfurtunatly he also lets the world treat him as a doormat.
All in all the film is very original and a good comment about how we treat each other and ourselves and how we let us get treated by others in society.
Waste of time
baloo1310 September 2007
Poor dialogue, poor directing, poor editing and very poor acting (with one or two exceptions) summons up this film pretty much. I can only assume an actor such as Michael Segerström, one of those who actually performed some acting in this piece, wasn't very proud when he saw the final result. I really can't understand how the film managed to win Nordic Film Prize (Best Film), it scares me a lot to think of the competitors. The dialog often seemed very unnatural, but that might be the result of poor directing/poor acting. The music itself is really good, but it doesn't fit in to the film. Imagine yourself watching a film with only dialogue, and then at the same time listening to music from a totally different context. It's totally weird, and I mean weird in a bad way. This film is nothing but a waste of time.
Beautiful, funny and sad
pavillion-220 March 2007
This is a nice little gem. Accustomed to the normal staple of Swedish film, meaning ham acting, high school morality and utter lack of anything resembling film magic, this was a surprise. Good, subdued acting, a twisting and turning storyline that keeps you unprepared for what's around the corner and a fresh and unsentimental approach to it's subjects makes this "a film for the person who doesn't like Swedish film" as one of my friends said after the film. Add to that some funny and intelligent dialogue with the occasional one-liner and you have a film that is truly enjoyable and lingers in your mind afterwards. During it's one and a half hour it grinds itself slowly into some true and important insights of contemporary life, as well as eternal truths (yeah, really). Could have been a bit longer though, because the end comes about a little abruptly,
A good start...
caroladif10 July 2007
Warning: Spoilers
Well, this is not much more then a big disappointment.
The move start-out OK, a little melodramatic though, you get a really good descriptions of the characters and starts to absorb into them in good or bad ways.
But as the movie accelerate and the characters personalities starting to evolve in to slighter better. The story writer choose to bring the story to a fast end by descending there good personalities into a level lower then ever.
The most annoying is that the story could be good, and the message and thoughts that the movie sends is really important. But thats lost in a depressing slide-show with bad music and a pointless ending. With different ending 7 point, with more enthusiasm and different choose of music it maybe would been given 9 points from me.
The move start-out OK, a little melodramatic though, you get a really good descriptions of the characters and starts to absorb into them in good or bad ways.
But as the movie accelerate and the characters personalities starting to evolve in to slighter better. The story writer choose to bring the story to a fast end by descending there good personalities into a level lower then ever.
The most annoying is that the story could be good, and the message and thoughts that the movie sends is really important. But thats lost in a depressing slide-show with bad music and a pointless ending. With different ending 7 point, with more enthusiasm and different choose of music it maybe would been given 9 points from me.
Skillfully sketched portrait of coldness in contemporary Stockholm
wilsonfire15 March 2008
Warning: Spoilers
This film by Johan Kling is a clear example of Swedish film at its best. While showing some thematic resemblance to "Daybreak" ("Om jag vänder mig om") in its critical view on certain aspects of Swedish or Western culture, there is in addition the unlikely meeting of two persons from vastly different social spheres.
Utilizing the power of subtlety in proud tradition of Bergman, the film provides a striking depiction of superficial emptiness in the posh quarters of Stockholm. Michelle Meadows plays her cold, spoiled character with impressive credibility. However, her uptown acquaintances seem slightly exaggeratedly flat in their shallowness.
"Darling" strikes another important contemporary theme by introducing the second main character played by Michael Segerström. A common cultural symptom of several Western countries, the ever positive and good-hearted Bernard learns how elders are threatened with falling into oblivion. After his wife has left him for a younger man, the retired Bernard seems to have fallen out of the frame, caught in a void of debts and cold isolation from work market, family and friends.
The story keeps hold of you through numerous twists and admirable "read between the lines"-depth in the dialogue. The camera allows for the emotions of the characters to beautifully unfold. The end is in my opinion also well attuned to the film.
To conclude, it is easy to see why "Darling" has won several awards in Sweden. Unfortunately for international connoisseurs of film, a considerable share of its qualities is only to be fully appreciated in Swedish. The depth and subtlety truly impress, as well as the timing of the themes. The reason why this film remains at an eight in ranking, is that the moral of the story feels slightly oversketched. In total, however, "Darling" is to be highly recommended.
Utilizing the power of subtlety in proud tradition of Bergman, the film provides a striking depiction of superficial emptiness in the posh quarters of Stockholm. Michelle Meadows plays her cold, spoiled character with impressive credibility. However, her uptown acquaintances seem slightly exaggeratedly flat in their shallowness.
"Darling" strikes another important contemporary theme by introducing the second main character played by Michael Segerström. A common cultural symptom of several Western countries, the ever positive and good-hearted Bernard learns how elders are threatened with falling into oblivion. After his wife has left him for a younger man, the retired Bernard seems to have fallen out of the frame, caught in a void of debts and cold isolation from work market, family and friends.
The story keeps hold of you through numerous twists and admirable "read between the lines"-depth in the dialogue. The camera allows for the emotions of the characters to beautifully unfold. The end is in my opinion also well attuned to the film.
To conclude, it is easy to see why "Darling" has won several awards in Sweden. Unfortunately for international connoisseurs of film, a considerable share of its qualities is only to be fully appreciated in Swedish. The depth and subtlety truly impress, as well as the timing of the themes. The reason why this film remains at an eight in ranking, is that the moral of the story feels slightly oversketched. In total, however, "Darling" is to be highly recommended.
A wonderful movie (contains spoiler)
Fish_chips20 March 2010
Warning: Spoilers
The film was voted by the Swedish Film Critics Association as 'Best Swedish Film of 2007', and with good reason. The film becomes a portrayal of Eva, and the emotional journey that she goes on. She is self-centered, egotistical and emotionally empty. But during a time of hardship she encounters Bernhard, and she gains a chance to escape from her carapace by actually considering someone else. But she is unable to make the complete journey and reverts to her empty ways. Meanwhile Bernhard should regard himself as hard-done-by, but he looks for the positives (in employment and the promised housing). The ending was great: Bernhard rides the bus but is smiling and waving, while Eva is in the luxury car but has reverted back into her blankness. Not everybody who looks attractive is really worthy! Can't imagine that Hollywood could ever make this movie as it shows a most subtle progression - but the progression is in reverse: as her finances go down, her emotional outlook goes up, and then vice-versa!; Hollywood would likely sickenly sweeten the ending by having Eva leave her boyfriend's SUV and join Bernhard on the bus!
It's a nice, cute movie
fjulll7 February 2007
I'm no regular commenter but I noticed there was none so I'll make a brief and simple one.
I liked this movie, it had a nice feeling and the characters were really cute. It's is about a young girl living and going out in Stockholm's richer areas. The problem is all her relationships with her friends and lovers are really superficial. Which she finds out for herself early in the movie, she also finds a true friend but she has troubles having a "real" relationship. The music was a bit repetitive but I liked the camera work. It also felt real, I live in Stockholm and in the area where it takes place and it felt real and like it in some ways truthfully reflected the life's of "brats" in Stockholm (there are spoiled who aren't brats in Swedish culture, it really doesn't have the same meaning as in English)
I liked this movie, it had a nice feeling and the characters were really cute. It's is about a young girl living and going out in Stockholm's richer areas. The problem is all her relationships with her friends and lovers are really superficial. Which she finds out for herself early in the movie, she also finds a true friend but she has troubles having a "real" relationship. The music was a bit repetitive but I liked the camera work. It also felt real, I live in Stockholm and in the area where it takes place and it felt real and like it in some ways truthfully reflected the life's of "brats" in Stockholm (there are spoiled who aren't brats in Swedish culture, it really doesn't have the same meaning as in English)
Right on the money
johnnymunk24 September 2007
I thought this film was really good, with a very nice depiction of typical Swedish bcbg, a very interesting portrait of an original film character in the cold, self-aborbed Eva and a heartbreaking story about too-good-for-this-world Bernhard. Some extremely good acting, nice cinemaphotography and the music was wonderful. The whole film had the feel of old 60's and 70's European films, but still done in a modern way. It didn't hurt also that Michele meadows who plays Eva is very beautiful. If I am to say something negative it is that it was a bit difficult to understand at times. Still I think this is the best Swedish film I've seen for a couple of years or even more. I looking forward to the next film by this director.
A Darling Night @ The Movies
perseo30007 October 2008
This Movie, really got me for a while. Its interesting turns kept me expecting the unexpected, for real. Loved the transitional music and the backgrounds. When it came to the end,It really moved me to think WHY...WHY?? Finally I got the whole picture. Life and Movies are not always as we dream it to be. For better or worse WE need to get how to let go. What could be frightening right now, tomorrow will be just a memory we grew stronger from. Perfect for those who don't get the'picture'of Sewdish films, they still wont get it this time either... This is an enjoyable opportunity to reach Scandinavian film makers points of view.
Melancholy and desolate
simon-35-26009723 June 2014
Warning: Spoilers
I really enjoyed this film , unexpectedly so . I liked the background of Stockholm ? Which I don't see many films set in Sweden , dragon tattoo millennium series was another , Sweden certainly has a different feel to other countries on celluloid. I couldn't work out how the sexy but vacuous blonde was going to collide with the very down on his luck , gentle older man , trying to maintain his dignity and humility in this world that increasingly rejects him and his worth ...
I thought the overwhelming message was the harsh reality of ageing , staring at the abyss of old age with no support base or even friendship . The brief friendship between the blonde Eva and Bernhard I found quite touching , even though it was always destined to be short lived .
The bus scene waving a final goodbye was very emotional and sad . This film while strange in its construction says so much about things we don't like to consider , but yet there remains some hope and dignity , even when the future is bleak .
The score was not bad either .
I really liked the acting of the two protagonists who hit their mark perfectly . Sad no one much will see this film .' But it was quite a cultural experience for an Australian like me
I thought the overwhelming message was the harsh reality of ageing , staring at the abyss of old age with no support base or even friendship . The brief friendship between the blonde Eva and Bernhard I found quite touching , even though it was always destined to be short lived .
The bus scene waving a final goodbye was very emotional and sad . This film while strange in its construction says so much about things we don't like to consider , but yet there remains some hope and dignity , even when the future is bleak .
The score was not bad either .
I really liked the acting of the two protagonists who hit their mark perfectly . Sad no one much will see this film .' But it was quite a cultural experience for an Australian like me
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