(aka "Together" )
directed
by Lukas Moodysson
Sweden 2000
When
I grow weary of the pressures of city life, I like to entertain myself with
visions of moving to a commune. Extended leisure time, free love, whiling the
nights away with red wine and passionate conversation - for anyone chained to
the rat race it’s an attractive proposition, but these visions of a
hassle-free existence live in a land where the rules of basic human nature
fail to apply. Cramming ten people into a low-rent house is a recipe for
disaster, as good intentions inevitably crumble beneath the weight of
conflicting ideologies, the lure of life’s little luxuries and garden-variety
jealousy.
This is exactly what happens in Together, the second feature from Swedish
writer/director Lukas Moodysson. The year is 1975, and while the rest of the
world is doing its best to consign the hippie movement to the dustbin of
history a loose collection of hard-core nature-lovers are getting back to
basics on a suburban commune. When the film opens their atmosphere of mutual
respect has already begun to disintegrate – the mild-mannered Göran (Gustaf
Hammarsten) is grappling with his girlfriend’s attraction for another
housemate, while Anna (Jessica Liedberg) and Lasse (Ola Norell) spend their
time engaging in petty sniping after a recent break-up. Matters are
complicated by the arrival of Göran’s sister Elisabeth (Lisa Lindgren) and her
two children, who abandon their comfortable existence to escape the alcoholic
Rolf (Michael Nyqvist).
Of course, any film with a soundtrack that features ABBA and a version of Love
Hurts by Nazareth shouldn’t be taken too seriously, and I’d hate to give
potential viewers the impression that they’re in for another long dark night
of the soul. It’s a film you can watch on whatever level your mood dictates,
secure in the knowledge that you’ll be spending time with involving
characters, accomplished performers and a narrative packed with humour and
insight. It’ll have you thinking twice about chucking the job and catching the
first bus to Nimbin, but when it’s over the daily grind might just seem like a
reasonable alternative.
Excerpt from the ECritic website found here
Posters
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Theatrical Release: August 25, 2000 (Sweden)
Reviews More Reviews DVD Reviews
DVD Review: MGM/UA - Region 1 - NTSC
Big thanks to Warren Murphy for the Review!
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| Distribution |
MGM/UA Region 1 - NTSC |
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| Runtime | 1:46:32 | |
| Video |
1.85:1 Original Aspect Ratio
16X9 enhanced |
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NOTE: The Vertical axis represents the bits transferred per second. The Horizontal is the time in minutes. |
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| Audio | Swedish Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround | |
| Subtitles | English, Spanish, none | |
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Release Information: Studio: MGM/UA Aspect Ratio:
Edition Details:
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| Comments | Unfortunately, MGM could've done a lot better, and I know they can. There seems to be a lot of edge enhancement in the opening titles (as posted above), and I am sure it is probably there in the film too. The picture is very grainy at times, but I think that is mostly due to Moodysson's filming style than the transfer. He aimed for an authentic 70's look and sure got it. There also seems to be a lot of red. It's not too bad of a transfer but MGM could've done it much better. There's no extras on the dvd; a trailer was listed on the back but it's not there. | |
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CLICK to order from:
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| Distribution |
MGM/UA Region 1 - NTSC |
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Gary Tooze
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Many Thanks...
