While not exactly a genre in itself, movies about grumpy old men were once pretty common and came in all forms. Think about this variety for a second – Scrooge from “A Christmas Carol”, Clint Eastwood’s “Grand Torino”, the Pixar gem “Up”, and of course the two “Grumpy Old Men” movies. This is just a handful of examples yet none of these films are quite like the Swedish dramedy “A Man Called Ove”.
Rolf Lassgård stars and plays the title character Ove. He’s a crusty old curmudgeon who runs his neighborhood association with an iron fist even though he was deposed as its president a few years earlier. His zero-tolerance policies puts him at odds with some residents while others laugh him off as Ove being Ove. Things get even worse after he is squeezed into early retirement by his young supervisors.
The cantankerous Ove meets his match when a young family moves in across the street. Things get off to a rocky start with Ove letting them have it for every little infraction. But the young mother Parvaneh (Bahar Pars) is impervious to Ove’s belligerence. In fact, she kind of gets a kick out of it. What follows is an unexpected friendship with potential life-changing effects for Parvaneh but especially Ove.
This odd relationship helps to crack open the Ove character and reveal the reasons for his misery. He slowly makes more sense to us. The frequent visits to his wife’s grave and a series of flashbacks paint a picture of a man stricken by heartbreak, sorrow, and loneliness. But don’t let that fool you. This is a black comedy at its core. There are some really good laughs some from unexpected places. Writer-director Hannes Holm juggles the wacky range of emotions and the periodic time hops fairly seamlessly which is no small task.
Lassgård deserves a lot of credit as well. His stone-faced persona is helped by some really good makeup (for which it earned an Oscar nomination) but is mostly carried by the actor’s charisma. There’s also Lassgård’s snarling snark which is so finely in sync with Holm’s wickedly funny dialogue. And when he’s asked to tone down the crabbiness (ever so slightly) the actor pulls it off without coming across as manipulative.
“A Man Called Ove” was a huge hit in its native Sweden becoming the third highest-grossing domestic movie in the nation’s history. It’s easy to see why. Despite his prickly nature the film’s protagonist is easy to enjoy and eventually sympathize with. That’s mainly due to the surprising amount of tenderness packed into the story and a fabulous lead performance. And now two well-deserved Oscar nominations are icing on this surprise hit’s cake.
VERDICT – 4.5 STARS
Keith & the Movies 
I gave it the same rating, too, Keith. Wasn’t his wife’s eyes gorgeous? I really loved the love story. It had a vibe of “Up” to me. I was surprised how moved I was.
YES!!! Gorgeous indeed. I just love being able to have a conversation with someone else who has seen it. I really hope it’s Oscar nominations will bring it some attention. Great story and equally great performances.
I’m glad you liked this too. I see it being compared with A Single Man quite often, but I never even thought about the two movies being similiar while watching it.
Hmmm, interesting comparison. I didn’t really see it in The Sinle Man light either. I did really love it though. One of those unexpected gems. Love seeing get those Oscar noms. Just maybe it will get some others to seek it out.
“two well-deserved nominations”?
I agree it deserved Foreign Film, but not Makeup.
I thought the aging makeup was very good. No arguments here. But regardless it’s such a goofy category. I mean only three nominations?
My name is Claude W. dangit Sims. And you put this story about this moving picture making fun of old folks to poke fun at me. I may be old but I got feelings too!!!
I would call this your biopic but it has too much heart.
I enjoyed this film and agree with you about the lead performance and the writing. It’s a real charmer. The only gripe I had with it is I don’t like it when suicide is portrayed as whimsical in a film, which I felt they kind of did here.
Glad you like it too. I agree that they tried not to be too heavy with the suicide. But I read it a little differently. I kept seeing it as it not being his time. Regardless of his efforts he still had a reason for being there. But I see where you’re coming from. For me those scenes had an edge yet definitely a bit whimsical.
Great review and I agree entirely with your assessment. Its a moving story played with characteristic Swedish deadpan humour and gravitas.
Great to hear from someone else who has seen it. It’s really good and I’m hoping its Oscar nominations will spur more people to seek it out.
Its my pick for best Foreign Film Keith. Many so called “heartwarmers” are emotionally manipulative, whereas ‘Ove’ allows brilliant characterisation to carry the story.
Great review. I’ve recently watched this movie and I really loved it. ‘Ove’ becomes one of my most favorite movies.