"Under the Sun" is a bucolic, warm, charming, and sentimental story about a 40 year old Swedish farmer who hires an attractive housekeeper who tends to somewhat more than cooking and cleaning. He's illiterate with an inheritance, she's smart and pretty, and he has a young male friend who may be after both his money and the woman. A lovely bit of romantic melodrama laced with humor and rustic beauty which could steal your heart or make you gag depending on your taste. Recommended for more mature sentimentalists. (B)
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=G=20 February 2004
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Puma-209 September 2000Left the theater feeling good, as another reviewer said. Not the most original story, but has many of the human touches and imperfections that Hollywood often hides. The leading actress is BEAUTIFUL, though still "one of us" in her (minor) imperfections. I was somewhat disconcerted by the Irish music background in a Swedish setting, but then again, what do I know? Hope to find this movie on DVD someday (I'll put it on my DVD wish list, somewhere below "Babette's Feast").
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khatcher-210 May 2002H.E. Bates' story `The Little Farm' on which `Under Solen' is based, was screened in a shortened version way back in the early 70s by Granada TV. The fact that this is not exactly one of his better known stories made it all the more surprising when it appeared as `Under Solen' in a full-length film miraculously transported to rural Sweden in the 1950s, and directed by a Brit .. The result is charming, to say the least.
Olof, now over 40, decides he and his ramshackle farm need a young woman round the place, and so a very beautiful thirty-something Ellen walks into his life in answer to an advertisement for a housewife, much to the chagrin and scepticism of Erik, Olof's best friend. Good interpretations, though one might surmise Johan Widerberg tended to overplay his part at times; Rolf Lassgård and Helena Bergström gave pleasing performances. The photography is beautiful: all that lovely summer countryside somewhere in rural Sweden comes across very well, including heavy thunderstorms dripping through the roof of the old barn showering the happy couple's new-found passion. Wonderful to see one of those original Saabs which Erik Carlsson drove so successfully to so many victories in car rallies back in the late 50s! As well as a magnificent old bus. I could not quite make out if everyone was still driving on the left, though most certainly Olof's and Erik's cars were for driving on the right. Anybody know in which year Sweden changed from driving on the left to driving on the right, please?
My only quibble is Paddy Moloney's Celtic music seemd rather out of place in the middle of Swedish countryside. I mean, there is no lacking of indigenous folk and rural music from `Lockrop & Vallåtar' or Järna Musik och Dansfestival, Sommar-Gränna Blue Grass and Old Time, or from people like Richard Näslin and Lasse Sörlin, for example.
Nicely paced the film moves deftly from scene to scene without jarring any of the senses, with the result that this film is indeed pleasant viewing. -
UACW8 May 2004The SO brought this one home, having found it in the 'new releases' section. I remember hearing about it six years ago, but was in the UK at the time and never saw it.
Nutley took the Swedish spirit and gave it back to the people early on with short 'stilleben' shoots of Stockholm and its people and made an impression. 'House of Angels' (or whatever it's called in the English language version) was his first major film in Sweden and one of the biggest box offices ever.
The rental we had preserved the wide screen, which is absolutely essential in this context. Nutley has a knack for finding pastorals which are incredible, and Swedes really suck this up. The images themselves are so stunning and evocative to the local populace that this in itself is enough soul candy.
Nutley is of course together with his perennial leading lady today, and they have two or three children together, and in a clumsy event she was voted best Swedish actress of all time, ahead of Bergman and Garbo, but there is no discounting her talent or on-screen presence. Beautiful in a flawless way she may not be, but her on-screen charisma and meticulous acting are impressive.
Simple story? Yes, perhaps, but it's not only the plot you come to watch: it's the pictures themselves. Why watch Olof chop wood when you can film him from inside the house and show a bit of the window frame at the same time? Some of the pictures are so carefully laid out it's fantastic.
And the story itself: with acting this good, and with directing this good, you're going to find yourself moved and watery-eyed at the end no matter what.
I was surprised to find this movie won and was nominated for so many awards. I remember at the time critics in Sweden panning it. But I must have got this wrong. 'Under Solen' is a tour de force, a work of art, by a Brit who has captured the soul and spirit of Sweden like few others. A 'must see'. -
amylia8231 July 2003This is the first Swedish movie I've ever seen. Though I cannot understand the language, I enjoy the music and picture in it. And i like the picture very much. So peaceful, like heaven. Great movie.
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noralee20 December 2005"There's nothing new Under the Sun (Under solen)" is the titular closing line for this lovely Swedish farm romance.
And yeah it does draw on familiar territory -- the mail-order bride type Westerns like "Rachel and the Stranger," the woman with a secret who appears in beautiful rural scenery in "Days of Heaven," combined with the threatening, non-stop talking intruder as in "Smooth Talk" (who the entire audience would have gladly murdered as we laughed uproariously when his ironic fate was sealed).
Set in 1955 with some more sexual frankness than those after all non-Swedish earlier movies, "Under the Sun" is grounded in the realism of the lead characters, as a man and woman in their '30's who understand life, people and most of all themselves.
But my friend and I found we kept thinking the exact same things: why the heck did those horses need to be taken all the way to that scenic water hole all day? Couldn't they just drink water from a trough? And is it really summer in Sweden all the time?
(originally written 8/25/2001) -
krisrudin19 December 2002This was a wonderful movie about love, trust and self-discovery. The acting was first rate, and the photography was beautiful. It is a very sensitive portrayal of the very human need for love and acceptance, yet it is never heavy. The story moves along very well. The characters and plot are believable. I highly recommend it!
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harveymuzzelle16 April 2021A most eclectic cast of people thrown together under unimaginable circumstances.
Cerebral, rustic and very unusual. -
Christer Lindgren24 December 2001This film touched my heart. Set in rural Sweden in the mid '50s and beautifully telling the tale of shy, reluctant love, the jealousy between friends and the claustrophobic agony of illiteracy, the film leaves you with the hope that just sometimes the innocent might prevail over the cunning. As a bonus, on top of the psychological subtlety that Nutley handles so well, you are also treated to the beauty of a landscape still remembered and missed.
Nutley elegantly suggests outcomes of actions without overstating it, like when he lets one of his characters mention that he signed on as a crew member of Andrea Doria which went under in 1956, the year described in the film.
Paradoxically, no Swedish director has ever succeeded in describing the soul of the Swedish people or painting the beauty of the Swedish countryside as brilliantly or lovingly, for that matter - as Colin Nutley has. -
ahmedturkey30 July 2005As a Turkish man currently living in Sweden I at least tried to watch Scandinavian movies. Gloomy, gloomy , no plot,impossible to understand. After ten minutes I fall asleep and than I'm happy I didn't have to watch it till the end. Compared to House of Angels they are equally bad. Helen Bergstrom and her demonic mouth annoyed me all the time. Films from Sweden are so messy. Everything about Sweden and their films are just terrible. It doesn't matter that this film is made by an Englishman, He has got too much impression from Sweden. He better leave for England before its too late. Couldn't anyone forbid Swedish films from being shown in public? Ahmed Sellam
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ungerch31 October 2001We loved this film. In a time of fast action, surprise, and worst-case scenarios, this is a human drama about living, love, relationship, and truth. The cinematography is stunning. Warm, golden hues of a Swedish summer ... and a reminder of life outside of our current era of technology and speed.
A story of two people falling in love for who they are ... not titles. Many visual and cinematographic metaphors and allusions.
A beautiful and touching film. -
skipper195529 December 2001Under the Sun is a good film, deliberately paced. The lead, who plays a farmer, in particular, does a fine job.
The movie goes out of its way to avoid nudity in the love scenes, which stikes me a kinda coy. Nevertheless, characters are quite well established. Every action seems to spring from the character's nature, not the need for a plot twist.
The actress who plays a newspaper clerk also should be singled out for praise.
I prefered the direcor's "House of Angels" set in contemporary times. However setting the movie in the past allows the director some sly commentary on a character's fate after the events in the movie take place. -
kmukh_7319 July 2004I saw the movie recently, as I was looking for a new taste of movies outside the French, Spanish, Italian or German ones. I adore European movies very much, and so I deliberately picked it up from the blockbuster store. After watching the brilliant performance of Rolf Lassgård as well as Helena Bergström, I have no doubt that a true romantic movie was nominated for Oscar foreign film category. The camera-work, Celtic music, photography, the location and obviously the acting was simply brilliant. It is really a must see movie and all credits to the director as he has brought up such a nice movie out of a simple story which still possesses the rustiness of a Swedish village. Rarely one can see such a nice romantic presentation of movie based on such a common topic. It could not have been done more better. I am a bit surprised why it was rated "R", there are many Hollywood movies which are much "R" rated and bogus. Isn't a bit of ill-fated skepticism on the Swedish movie? I think it's time to learn for the h'wood "dumbs" how to make romantic movies in a presentable way without explicit scenes and come out of the viscous circle of the sci-fi, thriller, murder, horror plots.
Do watch it if you have not, a must see for your family and it reckons 10/10!! -
Red-12511 January 2015The Swedish film Under solen was shown in the U.S. with the title Under the Sun (1998). It was directed by Colin Nutley. The film is set in rural Sweden in 1956.
Rolf Lassgård plays Olof, a gentle 40-year-old farmer who has lived alone since his mother's death. The only way he can think of to meet a woman is to put an ad for a housekeeper in a newspaper. A woman answers the ad, and eventually comes to the farm. Helena Bergström plays the beautiful Ellen Lind, who has never been on a farm, and would seem to be an unlikely candidate for the job. However, for her own reasons, she takes the position and appears to do it well.
Certain important facts become clear early in the movie. Olof isn't stupid, but he can't read. That's never explained. Were there truly people in rural Sweden at the time who hadn't been taught to read? Possibly Olof had gone to school, but was dyslexic.
Olof's inability to read is a key plot element, because this disability allows his friend Erik to take advantage of Olof's trusting nature. Erik--played by Johan Widerberg--has worked on a cruise ship and is far more worldly than Olof. I didn't think Widerberg carried off the tricky job of being Olof's trusted friend. He portrayed Erik as obviously devious and scheming, and, in reality, I think Olof would have seen through this supposed friendship.
Naturally, the plot produces an inevitable triangle, although not in the obvious way one would expect. That's what makes the movie interesting.
Some points worth noting: Gunilla Röör plays the newspaper receptionist who helps Olof with the ad. She's an interesting actor, and I wish she had been given more than just this cameo role at the beginning of the film.
"Under the sun" sounds like a French or Italian movie--there's not that much sunshine in Sweden. However, the title refers to the Biblical quotation, "There is nothing new under the sun."
Every so often, director Nutley cuts away to a fighter jet performing maneuvers in the sky above the farm. We would expect a bird, not a fighter jet. (Once, it is a bird, but only once.) There's an interesting thread on IMDb about the symbolism of the fighter jet.
The musical score is beautiful, but the music is Celtic, not Swedish. There are some similarities between Celtic and Swedish music, but why not use Swedish music?
We saw this film on VHS (believe it or not), although I think it's available on DVD. It would work somewhat better on a large screen, because of the beauty of the sky and the countryside.
It's an unusual movie, and possibly not for everyone, but I enjoyed it and recommend it. -
TMAN-106 August 1999One of the best movies I have seen for a long time. The warm humor, makes you feel good. Both Helena and Rolf are charming, and you believe they are Olof and Ellen. A movie I would like to see many times.SEE IT.
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reeeed16 August 2007This WONDERFUL, beautiful, lovely film have been my all-time favorite movie ever sense the first time I saw it a couple of years ago.
Olof is a lonely farmer somewhere in Sweden who have been living alone ever since his parents died. In secret he puts in an ad in the paper where he asks for a housekeeper but of course we all understand that what he really wants is a woman to love. One day Ellen shows up... A mysterious, beautiful woman who before summer is over have stolen Olofs heart. ... And seriously annoyed his best friend.
This is truly a great movie! The pictures are fantastic and shows of the very best of hot, Swedish summers and sweet love between two very different people. -
JanneR27 February 1999The three leading actors all perform well but Rolf Lassgård makes an outstanding performance of the illiterate farmer who has never had a woman. Seeing this film in wintertime makes you long for a summer in the countryside. The photography is also of very high quality.
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sydlee_200028 August 2001I was lucky enough to have seen this film only a month or two ago on TV, and I loved it. Rolf Lassgård is excellent and makes you feel compassion for Olof and his situation. Erik is somewhat likeable and dislikable at the same time, and Ellen is perfect, making an attractive and layered character. This is a sweet movie, with a little uncertainty to keep you interested and hopeful. A simple story about life and love, that you'll be glad you watched.
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domahoney25 March 2021Thirty seconds in and you know you're in for a treat. Lush cinematography, superb performances and a beauty of a film.
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While UNDER SOLEN did not win the 2000 Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film, I certainly can understand the nomination, as it is an incredibly beautiful and highly artistic film. Rarely have I seen a film in which the cinematography and music done so much to create a truly beautiful film. Despite the film being set entirely around a farm in the Swedish countryside, it's the loveliest place on the planet due to the wonderful film work in UNDER SOLEN. As for the story, I liked it very much...but it wasn't perfect.
The film begins with a 40 year-old bachelor placing an ad in the paper for a young housekeeper. It seems that the guy lives in a pretty ratty old farmhouse and you also wonder if perhaps he wants more than just a housekeeper, as he wants the lady to be young and she should include a picture! Well, the lonely guy ends up getting something he probably didn't expect--a woman who is truly gorgeous. And, in many ways, they seem incredibly different. He is a big hulking man who is incredibly shy and awkward. She seems more self-secure and makes heads turn.
Into this odd arrangement arrives a so-called friend of Olaf--Eric. Eric is the opposite. He's young, handsome, impulsive and great with women...but also quite shallow. This new lady, Ellen, is polite to Eric when he visits, but also a bit formal. She seems to be able to see through him and although Eric is attracted to her, she finds herself drawn towards clumsy old Olaf as the film progresses. Eric, a petulant jerk, seems angry at her rebuffs of his advances.
What happens next is very sweet as you see the relationship between Ellen and Olaf bloom...very, very slowly. In fact, the very slow and deliberate pacing of the film might turn off some. As for me, I didn't mind at all because it was all so beautiful and reminded me, style-wise, of "Babette's Feast"--another great Scandinavian film. So much is said in this film with glances and little scenes--I really liked it. What I was less than thrilled by was the dangling portion near the end. What about her former life and what about her secret? In some ways, it tended to deflect from how much I liked this character and I really wanted a full explanation as to how she got to where she was in life. I'd say more, but I don't want to ruin the film.
The film is probably not a great one for kids or teens, as it's a very sexually charged film. It's NOT dirty or gratuitous--it's just very sexual and probably is best as a movie to watch with someone you love.
Not a perfect film, but there's so much to like about this one. -
ingamazonaite11 January 2022Absolutely love this movie.
It will be now in my favourites list and will watch again.
Great love story.
Been missing this type of movies recently, glad I found it. Movie for more mature people, I'd say. -
Vincentiu4 January 2009Love story. Subtle, nice and warm. A spring story. Delicate nuances, basic gestures and lost feelings. In fact, pieces of a world's definition. A woman and two men. In summer. A house. And some words. A film about solitude and search of happiness. Rolf Lassgard in a touching role. Helena Bergstrom as a sensitive servant for who the past is great shadow. A film with apple pie taste and spices flavor. Show of modest life and small desires, delicate emotions and childish air. Time as water of memories.Memories as pieces of personal game. Words like the fly of silence. A way. And some words. Then, the peace. As bread, warm summer, letters of a message - testimony of old desire. All under the sun of a lost land.
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Solrosen27 April 2012I love this movie, I have seen it several times. I enjoyed reading others reviews, many from this side of the Atlantic ocean, I was still living in Sweden when it was new (now I am in Texas, US). To see it again made me homesick, there is nothing like the Swedish countryside, it is so quiet and calm. And in that environment people like Olof just fits in so perfectly.
I just love the characters, Olof because he is a warmhearted and loyal person and Helena Bergströms householder because she can see that. It is one of those movies that make you feel that Movies shouldn't be more like life, life should be more like the movies. -
David-3523 December 2009Loved this movie, though there were so many items to pan, mostly mentioned by other commenters. I thought the planes / soaring birds were both obvious and obscure (Icarus? Ecstasy? Flying? Soul? All of these?) But mostly gratuitous and extra -- watch that metaphor! The music could have been Swedish folk, as mentioned by others. Erik (again, as mentioned) was maybe the most hate provoking villain I've ever seen. Some folks seem to think he was Olof's friend. Not possible, though Olof is certainly under that delusion. Erik is entirely out for himself, conning Olof for betting money, and fearing loss of his power over Olof when Ellen shows up. He absolutely shows his true color during his last scene, when he tears into Olof's psyche unmercifully solely for the sadistic pleasure of it. He's heading to America the next day, so dishonestly relieving himself of his debt to Olof is of no material benefit to him. Well, I won't really put in the ultimate spoiler, this movie is very painful, very beautiful, and we decided we'd either get all of Nutley's movies, or maybe avoid them entirely!
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hakkikurtulus9 July 2002This well performed and directed sweedish drama, presents us the pureness of sweedish provincial life around a farmer who have not got any sexual relationship before that pathetic woman. The film proves to me, why I am an admirer of sweedish women. A sharp nose and deep blue eyes... A quality romantic film worths seeing.