classicsoncall Even if I'm not part of the target audience for a film like this, I can appreciate a good story if it's well written with interesting characters. The praise for this film from those who love it sails way over my head because I didn't find anything charming about the story or the two principals involved. One only needs to read the language from some of the characters in the movie on the quotes link from the IMDb title page to get an idea how crass this all came across. I didn't have much problem with the story's content or the fact that the main characters were lesbian, but the situations weren't handled with the kind of sensitivity that might have made me sympathetic toward the characters. On top of that, the Swedish title for the movie carries just the most negative connotation I can think of, so if it's meant to impress an audience into viewing, then I think it misses it's purpose. I watched it because it was an IMDb 'Top 250' film in 2001, but it appears that better judgment has taken hold in ensuing years. Beyond that I don't know what else there is to say.

Andree Narres Having read and heard many positive reviews I was looking forward to my (belated) viewing of this movie with some expectations. Although nice, the actual film didn't live up to the reviews: the main actresses are great, but the story doesn't play out a fraction of its possibilities. As a coming of age drama that is meant to portray the inner and outer conflicts and contradictions of not only experiencing first love but having to ward off prejudices against same-sex relationships from all around, the movie comes to an all too sudden end when the truly interesting part could have started.. Nice to watch, and there are some beautiful moments, but nothing remotely enthralling. OK for a laid back Sunday afternoon where you don't want anything too exciting. 7/10 points for great and truly charming actresses and a nice but not too great storyline. PS: I would give it 8/10 if I was sure I'd seen a teenage drama made for teenage viewers...

basilisksamuk I thought I'd start on my Lukas Moodysson box set. Although I've read many excellent reviews of his films, the only one I've actually seen before is this and I bought the box set simply on the grounds that I loved this film so much.Having now watched the film for the second time I'm not disappointed. This easily takes its place in my top ten films of all time. It's such a sweet film and the acting is just sensational. I never doubted for one moment that this was as close to a portrayal of teenage life as you could get and for that reason alone it deserves its status. I just scanned the comments on IMDb and of 310 comments nearly every one raves about the film, usually giving it 10 stars. Only about a dozen negative comments out of the lot. It seems that if people like this at all they really love it.

onjohn Amal (pronounced 'o:mol') is a small town just west of the great lake Vanern in the south of Sweden. But it could be any town of similar size anywhere in the world. A town where teenagers are either too young or too old to fit into the weekend activities offered - and therefore bored. Instead they just hang out by the burger place down town, drinking booze (home made, of course...) and driving mopeds. The goal for the evening is either to get very drunk or to "score". Probably both...In such a town we get to hang out with a few of the youngsters. Elin, a 14 year old girl trying to look older by wearing heavy make up and hanging out with her older sister and her boyfriend. And on the other hand there is Agnes. She is also 14, but no one wants to hang out with her. Instead of being her friends, the other teenagers make fun of her, calling her a "lesbo" (she doesn't have a boyfriend...). Her over protective parents don't make it any easier for her to get a social life.Agnes is secretly in love with Elin, something she writes in her computer diary. A diary witch happens to be read by Elin and her sister on Agnes' failure of a birthday party. The rumor is confirmed. And Elin is feeling confused...This lovingly told story of being a teenager passing through puberty hits right on the spot. It's all "been there, done that": all the juvenile "first times". Lukas Moodysson has managed to tell a lovely story of friendships lost and found, with a great sense of humor.And it has got a great soundtrack, including Robyn, Broder Daniel and others.What's not to enjoy? The story of being young.