Contributed
The second of the three summer season movies to be presented by the Vernon Film Society plays Aug. 7 at the Vernon Towne Cinema.
A Man Called Ove (En Man Som Heter Ove) is the film version of the best selling novel by Fredrik Backman, which has been very popular with book clubs.
The story follows a quintessential angry old man who has lost his job and is still mourning the loss of his wife, filling his days by trying to make everyone obey the rules of the neighbourhood and not always succeeding. He and his wife are presented in flashbacks in the movie, and perhaps we can see why he is now so unhappy to the point of thinking he will commit suicide. Luckily, a new family with two daughters moves into the house next door, and although initially he finds both the children’s laughter and the wife’s bad driving habits annoying, it changes his life.
We come to understand some of his past happiness and heartbreak, and how even a grumpy old man can change when he shares his life. This is a heartwarming story that brings some to tears and all to share in the laughter when we realize that first impressions are not always reliable.
Ove is played by Swedish actor Rolf Lassgård, and his Iranian neighbour is played by Bahar Pars. This movie was nominated for best foreign film at the 2017 Oscars.
“Incorporating fluid flashbacks and snippets of narration that refreshingly serve to enhance rather than distract, director-writer Hannes Holm maintains a gentle, lyrical flow while coaxing fine performances from a diverse cast,” Michael Rechtshaffen of the Los Angeles Times wrote.
A Man Called Ove shows at the Vernon Towne Cinema Aug. 7 at usual times of 5:15 p.m. and 7:45 p.m. All tickets are $7 cash, available one week ahead at the cinema and The Bean Scene Coffee House. Rated PG-13. Subtitled.