Retro Reviewing: "Show Me Love"

Would you guys review tv?  I don't know if anybody on the site has, but watching you guys review Sugar Rush would be so cool!

The comparison to high school isn't quite right, the girls in the movie are in 9th grade, which is the last year of "basic school", and is more like middle school; after 9th grade Swedish kids go on to "gymnasium", which is 10th-12th grade and more like high school - the environment at a basic school and a gymnasium are often very different.

I'm not too fond of the movie. I'm from a town that is about that size, my school was just like that, the kids were just like that, I disliked most of my peers at the time because they were annoying and self-centered and acted without any regard for other people, and I have no desire to re-live it (not now, nor at the time, I didn't like it back when I was in 9th grade either). 

F---ing Åmål is a "cult-movie" in Sweden. And I think most people in atleast my age have watch it like 10 times or more. And that kind of movie you can throw out lines from in a "normal" conversation and everyone would understand that it´s from F---ing Åmål. It´s not really an "indie film", but in scandinavia(and england) we don´t make the grass perfect green like in "high school movies":D It´s just more realistic in movies that is not produced in America.

I even think it ha been voted the best movie ever made in Sweden. And it will never get "old" because it deals with problems teenagers have had for ever, not just the "gay-problem".

The music is epic!

F*ing Åmål will always be close to my heart. Being that age in Sweden at the time the movie came out it felt and still feels extremely realistic. Obviously some of the cultural refrences might not translate all that well, things like what they're watching on tv, the perfume, the magazines...that bring extra realism might get lost. But the general "high school" or really rather middle school experience, I think is pretty universal. I know my school was like that and kids really were that mean.

I absolutely identified with Agnes and I can't say I ever saw her as being mean. She was just miserable and the night of her party she was just upset, it was a miserable excuse for a party in a miserable excuse for a life and she said some things she probaly shouldn't have. But she did appolgise later.

Also, I always think it's so funny when people say they don't like subtitles. Since everything is subtitled here (well, except the stuff in Swedish obviously) I've been reading subtitles since I first learnt how to read and when you're used to it it's something you just do without even thinking. Maybe all you need is a bit of practice ;-)

I remember when this movie hit the theatres here in Sweden, it was such a big deal that it was about lesbians (at least where I live). It meant a lot to me because I started to think about my own sexuality. And out of the people in my school I think I was the only one who actually loved the movie (probably because I'm a BIG GAY :P).

And also...you guys look so cute :) 

...i was also confused by the chocolate milk...lol...i haven't watched it in forever...maybe i should start watching the movies (again) that you all review so i can be more insightful...lol

  but i also feel a little lazy in the respect of reading subtitles...but i try...lol

denae....are you wearing a... " ___ is my homgirl/home girl" shirt?

Finally! The return of Retro Reviewing!! You guys were missed!!!

Danielle, I went to Catholic school K-12th grade and i can sympathize about the Catholic school experience.  The environment is very much, you must be this way or you are going to hell!  And I wasn't like what they wanted us to be, which can kinda suck, I spent the better part of my formative years thinking that God destined me to be a nun because I wasn't having crushes on guys like all of my friends!  That is how they addressed anything that was different, they said that it was the cross you were given to bear by God and that you were destined to serve him.I am very glad that highschool is over!!

I haven't seen Show Me Love yet but I will add it to my must see list! Thanks for another awesome Retro Review!!!!

Thanks to the Swedish viewers for clarifying a few things for us - especially the middle school/high school distinction. I suspected that we missed a few cultural references along the way!

And to Clowie_O - I couldn't agree more with your assessment of why this film is so good (and I think Katie would agree!) 

Was starting to worry that you may have stopped doing your reviews, very glad you haven't. 

I kind of agree with a little bit with everyone, great film, very real but almost painful in places to watch.

Am intrigued to see what the special Pride themed episode has in store.

Cheers

Generally recognized as one of the masterpieces of contemporary cinema, Moodyson's film is possibly the most realistic and most observant of all teen films.  It's great scenes are many - Johann's creasing of the cap, Agnes waiting by the phone in vain, Agnes's Father's loving but failed attempts to console his daughter, Elin saying she is lesbian and then denying once her Mom does not show immediate support, the chocolate milk scene (a perfect coda).  Then there is it's most famous scene - a kiss in a car which ranks in the pantheon of great film moments.  However I'd like to discuss a few aspects in particular. 

1 -- Agnes yells at her "friend" - Sometimes when one is friendless, they grasp to any possible closeness. Agnes associates with her "friend" because she has no one else to associate with.  They have none of the same interests and they both have a lack of interest in the other one.  Agnes's yelling is immature and self absorbed.  In other words it is realistic for a 16 year old teen.  It is one of the more realistic scenes about teenagers I have seen on screen.  It documents the pain of being alone faithful to reality.

2 -- Roles are switched.  The 1st section of the film is about Agnes's wanting Elin.  However the film ultimately becomes about Elin wanting Agnes.  This shift must occur for a simple reason.  Agnes is certain of who she is and, while upset over different events, never hides her sexuality (most strikingly when her Mom confronts her late in the film and Agnes's reaction is anger at her privacy being invaded - instead of angst about her sexuality).  It is Elin who represents a character arc.  It is she who grows up and so in many ways, she is the true protagonist.

3 -- Is Elin attracted to Agnes all along?  This is for the viewer to catch on their own.  Watch Elin's reaction when she hears about Agnes's party, her talk with her sister about where she wants to go, her reaction after the prank, etc.  Elin feels guilt about the prank but all along there seems to be a comprehension of who Agnes is.     

Welcome back Retro Reviewers! It's been a while. Well, I definitely belong to the left half of you, as I so relate to Agnes. This is the second lesbian-themed movie I watched (after Imagine Me and You, how original!). Yes, I'm too ancient for teenage angst, but I thought who cares. Agnes I watched in "fragments" on YouTube drew me in. She is not good looking, awkward and totally lacks savviness you need in order to survive the cruelty of teenage peers - which was precisely what I was like. It's actually a little comical to see that one person has to have all of these traits and suffers accordingly. No, I mustn't take it light, for the tears rolled down my cheek when Agnes rejects her father's attempt to comfort her and weeps, "no one will ever like me, why should I live?!" I don't think the others pick on her because she's gay, but because she's so socially awkward. The kids prey on "odd" ones. Her angst is not related to being gay that much. She has no problems with her sexuality, which is kind of refreshing. Compared to Elin, who is so flaky, hysterical and fickle, Agnes is far better put together, except for the lashing out incident with the wheelchair girl. 

After all, it's quite innocent as shown by the chocolate milk finale. I like the way the music is used: the fast paced rock music when the characters pine over their crushes, Johan for Elin, Agnes for Elin and finally Elin for Agnes. And, of course, the "I Want To Know What Love Is" moment......