Reviewed by Adam Whittaker
Stars Jessica Lundberg, Elisabet Helander, Bjorn Englund,
Leif Larsson, Ollie Olson, Birgitta Person, Kemal Sener,
Rolf Engstrom, Gunnar Ivarsson
Written by Roy Andersson
Certification UK 15 | Australia M
Runtime 89 minutes
Directed by Roy Andersson
A renowned writer, the winner of a directing award at the Chicago Film Festival. A study of life’s challenges, joys and sorrows, described by its creator as a "film that breaks with classic narrative structure to tell its story via a mosaic of human destinies". Surely a Swedish cultural masterpiece then?
Afraid not. With over 50 different scenes that allegedly interlink with a mix of humour and insight, this movie is a jigsaw with several pieces missing, not some prophetic mosaic. Following ordinary people in everyday life, each setting is filmed in wide shot from a single angle, which only adds to the whole two-dimensional feel rather than providing depth and feeling. While the occasional situation does inject some comedy value (check out the electric chair dream), there is little to engage, generate empathy or stimulate. Just as you feel there is to be some deeper exploration of a character’s pitiful existence or longing for a better life, Andersson switches the "action" to another dire and dreary setting.
Andersson clearly has a message and a passion for the study of human existence. His characters have the potential to be the perfect vehicle for his thoughts and philosophies. Unfortunately, it just doesn’t work in this movie. You never really care for any of them, never really share in their aspirations or self-pity. You, The Living leaves you with an over riding feeling of "so what". Disappointing.