Erland and May moderate a group of married couples at their local church. The topic of discussion, as a rule, is how to make a marriage work. Both are well liked in their small Swedish community. Erland is at a crossroads in his life. His marriage to May has run its course, even their lovemaking seems to be routine now. Yet, Erland and May have remained committed to their marriage, secured in the fact the community as a whole sees them as the perfect couple.
Karin and Sven-Erik, are part of that church group. Karin, who works in the same school with May, shows that things are not quite as good in her marriage. One night, while standing outside the church smoking a cigarette, Karin, sees Erland, who has also gone out. The two take one look at each other, something triggers in them a new emotion. Erland sees in Karin an excitement he does not have with May. Karin, on the other hand, looks at Erland with a new interest. It suddenly becomes clear to them there is something more than just a passing fancy.
Erland is Sven-Erik co-worker at a paper factory. Both men like one another. Same goes for May and Karin, in addition of working at the same school, they have been friends for a while. What to do? Erland and Karin believe the truth will be the only solution. The four meet at a dinner at May and Erland's home. Erland, a man that does not mix words, comes right out in confessing his love for Karin. The news has a shocking effect for May and Sven-Erik, but the matter is discussed in a civilized way. Karin and her husband will come to live at May and Erland's house where Karin and Erland will be able to be together against their partners wishes.
This Swedish comedy, shown recently on a cable channel, took us by surprise. In a way, it is a situation many couples go through, but not this way. It is too bizarre an idea in their civilized world. Divorce is not an alternative. Erland loves May and cannot think about a life without her. Karin is obviously an unhappy woman in her present situation. She finds in Erland some kind of romance she has not felt for her husband in quite some time.
Directed by Jorgen Bergmark, the film illustrates how people that face this problem, or even divorce, must endure. May and Sven-Erik basically do not want to end their marriages, but what can they do? Suddenly, these two people must put up with a situation they hate, watching the person they love become sexually involved right in front of their eyes. The experiment backfires because human emotions play tricks on the people that are helpless by a decision that will change their lives forever.
The film was written by Jens Jonsson, with Mr. Bergmark. The director avoids sensationalism, which might have derailed the project. Instead, a series of situations are presented with a sobriety that is unusual. The gravity of the situation, and its consequences are dealt with a light touch, never letting the material fall to a vulgar account in the life of two couples. Stina Ekblad makes a dignified May. Pernilla August's Karin is the most troublesome character of the four because of the sudden passion she finds hidden in her, in contrast with the others. Rolf Lassgard plays Erland with conviction, a man that must reconcile his role as a lead of the community and his clear rejection of it by taking up with the wife of his best friend. Last, but not least, Claes Ljungmark, makes the most of his Sven-Erik, the one that suffers the most with Karin's rejection.
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