By Linda McDermott and Phil Raschke.
Adapted from the worldwide bestselling book of the same name, “A Man Called Ove” is the heartfelt, humorous tale of an old curmudgeon who has given up on everything including himself. Forced into retirement and removed as president of his neighborhood association, Ove spends his days as a rule bound, grumpy old man who deeply misses his late wife. Ove does not fear death, but laments that death has passed him by, taken others, and left him here all alone. Then one day a new neighbor with a pregnant Iranian wife and young children moves next door and Ove’s daily life is suddenly put to the test. With an academy award nomination for best foreign language film, “A Man called Ove” has been hailed a cinematic masterpiece.
This must see film will play at FAB Fest on Saturday, September 29th at 7:00 PM at the McGavick Conference Center, 4500 Steilacoom Blvd SW, Lakewood, WA 98499.
Admission and parking are free. Seating is limited and on a first come basis. Ove is Swedish, contains sub-titles, runs 116 minutes and is rated PG-13. Prior to the film a free drawing will be held for autographed copies of books by bestselling authors Debbie Macomber and J. A. Jance. Concession stand available and Juried Art Display will be open prior to film. More information is available at Facebook.com/lakewoodfilmartsbooks. Come join us, it’s going to be absolutely FABulous!
Aaron Arkin says
I read the book before I saw the movie. As I recall the movie was faithful to the book, and the characters looked pretty much what I had expected from reading the story. I think whether one likes or is disappointed by this work depends on expectations given the basic premise of the story: is there a second act, especially for older people fixed in their ways, following the death of a mate?
This is a somewhat lighthearted treatment of the subject with fortuitous and unlikely events occurring often if not mostly outside of anything Ove, himself, does but which nevertheless contributes to a successful outcome: positive relationships, an accepting community, and a meaningful existence. Some have called it a “feel-good” story.
But if one’s expectation is that realistically and for a good outcome, Ove would have to bear the brunt of lifting himself up (and not to a defective hook in the ceiling), face his demons and through personal struggle and reassessment move successfully forward, I think that person may be disappointed. Could such an approach also contain humor? We’d be talking about a different book/movie, of course; but I believe we could be observing a richer human experience, one with which the reader perhaps could more easily identify, and one with not just irony and pitfalls but dark humor and even possibly levity.
There are many other fictional works about ‘second acts’ following the death of a spouse. It would be interesting to read more such stories and compare it to this one.
Willie's mom says
This is a great book that was loaned to me by a friend. Now I’m anxious to see th movie.
Dennis Flannigan says
Read the other two reviews. Only know I saw it, I liked it, and it hovers in the memory. Few films can trigger memories anymore.