Bene Cumb As I know the Danish language and society, I include, from time to time, some Danish films or series into my watching list. Particularly those dealing with events before 1990ies, before my personal experience with this great nation and country. And as Bille August is one of the best known Danish directors in the world, it is logical that Tro, håb og kærlighed would appear sooner or later... Well, I suppose "later", as I had seen hundreds of Danish creations already, including August's Pelle Erobreren, so my expectations were apparently too high. No, don't get me wrong, the film in question is skilfully directed and diversely performed (particularly all depicting Erik's family), plus provides a good overview of life in Danish cities in the 1960ies, but the story itself is not smooth, is somewhat "chopped", and some events / reactions by people are not realistic (e.g. during the wedding). The solution/ending is also adumbrative and, all in all, I am not sure that this film (with rather unfitting title in English) does bespeak the youth and families in the 21st century as well, thus not possessing durable approaches and values. But of course, the film is far above being mediocre.

samkan I agree with Commenter Michael that the title (not to mention the Beatles-saturated first 15 minutes) are misleading. Any other youth diversion or fad would've served the movie's themes just as well. Such is not to say the plot and its issues are uninteresting or moving. The camera work and the plotting and pacing of T&S are fine, with the exception of a "daydream" sequence that, while funny, doesn't fit in the film at all. Other aspects suffer. The translation may be to blame for the dialog, though I suspect even Norwegian teens speak more effusively; i.e., not in such clipped, terse blurts. That Simonsen and Soeberg act so well unfortunately contrasts Tonsberg and Bondo's unconvincing performances; e.g., Tonsberg is unauthentic and Bondo one-dimensional. Though Simonsen's Eric has the storyline that ultimately prevail's over Bjorn's travails, such is done in a way that buries the relevance of Bjorn and Anna's romance and Eric's desire for Kirsten. What this film is supposed to be about is the bonding and loyalty between Bjorn and Eric. Such becomes lost, despite a revival attempt at the end.

runamokprods Another solid film from Bille August about adolescence in Denmark the 60s - 1963 this time.This is even a little stronger than August's 'Zappa', if not quite up to Roy Andersson's somewhat similar, brilliant 'A Swedish Love Story'. The Scandinavians seem to have a knack for making emotionally complex films about adolescence. As with 'Zappa' some of this feels very familiar (first love, leading to pregnancy and to abortion that ruins the romance), and some feels a bit forced or unrealistic (would the parents of an upper-class, clearly upwardly mobile and socially conscious family really be quite so positive about their daughter marrying a boy from a humble working class home?). But the two male leads are very good, and there's a lot of specifics and idiosyncrasies that far outweigh the clichés.

Michael Neumann (add a few rating stars for the original Danish version)The old John Lennon/Paul McCartney tune has always been a popular anthem for teenage rebels around the world, but in this attractive Danish period piece (set in Copenhagen circa 1963) the title is a bit misleading: there's precious little of the song's youthful exuberance in the lives of Bjørn and Erik, best friends who find their loyalty to each other tested by the traumas and disillusions of young adulthood.At times the two characters almost seem to be in separate films: the outgoing, extroverted Bjørn enjoys the love of a lifetime with Anna before an unwanted pregnancy and painful abortion drives them apart, while the more shy and inhibited Erik battles his father over the emotional health of his mentally disturbed mother. Ironically, the film is almost too well crafted for its own good. The handsome imagery and meticulous camera-work aren't quite suited to a rock 'n' roll teen rite of passage, and the dramatic impact is further muted (on the old VHS tape I watched, at any rate) by the artless dubbing into textbook English.