After their release from a mental hospital, two middle-aged men--an agoraphobic mama's boy and a 40ish virgin--become roommates and try to cope with life on their own. Their initial co-dependency transforms into a deep and affecting friendship that becomes the basis for the duo's reintegration into society. Per Christian Ellefsen, Sven Nordin, Marit Pia Jacobsen star in this touching spin on "The Odd Couple." 90 min. Standard; Soundtrack: Norwegian Dolby Digital stereo; Subtitles: English; theatrical trailer. In Norwegian with English subtitles.

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There are some serious moments but on the whole the film is very upbeat. You find yourself rooting for Elling and Kjell Bjarne hoping that the friendship they have built doesn't come tumbling down as they each make new friends and are drawn in differing directions. It's a touching movie with laughs and a few tugged heartstrings. There is a moment at the end of the movie that has you more than hoping for an upbeat ending.

Don't let the fact that Elling a foreign film put you off. The film still gives you the full gambit of emotions without you having to understand a word of Norwegian. The film comes with easy to read subtitles and a story line that's easy to follow.

36 of 36 found the following review helpful:

"Elling" Transcends the StereotypesMay 23, 2004
By Gavin B.
"Elling" is the first film I've ever seen that transcends the popular film industry stereotypes and portrays people with mental illness as fully functioning three dimensional people, with both emotional and intellectual motivations as characters in a film. The prevailing "Hollywood" characterizations of mental illness seems to use three templates to portray mentally ill characters: 1) the over-the-top violent sociopath who is a dangerous predatory beast i.e...Hannibal the Cannibal; 2) the unstable visionary savant who can hardly function but is either intellectually brilliant or has or possesses some sort of supernatural power to compensate i.e...Russell Crowe in "Beautiful Mind" or Dustin Hoffman in "Rainman". or, 3) the loveable, laughable, whacky lunatic who can't fit into society and is a walking time-bomb i.e...Jack Nicholson in "Cuckoo's Nest."

This adaptation of Norwegian writer Ingvar Ambjorsen's best selling novel is a nuanced view of the lives of two mentally ill wards of the state as they struggle to adapt to living as roommates; and they try to make sense of often puzzling and arbitrary codes of "normal" social behavior. At times it is hilarious, but just as Director Peter Naess lures you into a warm and fuzzy feeling, he gives you a glimpse at the simmering rage of his main characters Elling and Kjell. Having worked as a case worker for transitional mental health patients, I can say that "Elling" is the only film I've ever seen that "gets it right" and doesn't approach the subject of mental illness in a condescending or derivative manner. Elling and Kjell aren't lovable loonies or dangerous whackos from central casting. There is a great deal of humor in "Elling" but none of it is used to demean or stereotype the principal characters. When a young punk poet, in bondage gear and Kiss whiteface screams his menacing poetry at a coffee house, it causes an anxiety attack for Elling...but it also begs the question, "Who's the crazy one, here?."

The brilliance of "Elling",however is the two actors who play Elling and Kjell. Per Christian Ellefsen (as Elling) is a fascinating and gentle soul in a constant struggle to keep his obsessions, agoraphobia and anti-social tendencies from consuming him. His sense of equilibrium is threatened by a trip to the grocery store or even picking up the phone and talking. On the other hand, Sven Nordin (as Kjell) is a hulking and affable man (think Gerard Depardieu) who is prone to wild mood swings that lead to socially inappropriate behavior. Kjell's innocence leads him to unwittingly make remarks to women which are regarded as inappropriate in polite society. Kjell is more than capable of a loving , caring sexual relationship but doesn't have the social skills to establish rapport with a female.

As the film progress the two roommates are slowly transformed into fully functional people, albeit, people who still have a lot of problems, but now have the tools to adapt to the perplexing world of social norms. Elling's friendship with elderly bohemian intellectual who shares his passion for poetry provides him with self confidence in his own tentative attempt to write poetry. Kjell's friendship as an informal caretaker for an upstairs neighbor develops into a romantic relationship, as the her pregnancy from a prior lover progresses. Kjell realizes he loves the woman and will help her care for the child as if the child was his own flesh and blood. Both Elling and Kjell anchor each other's erratic behaviors in ways that the viewer never anticipates, and they are often stunned by thier own abilty to say the right thing at the right time, to keep their roommate from spinning out of control. It's a inspiring form of peer therapy.

It is the intriguing and often quirky relationship between our two roommates, Elling and Kjell, that brings the magic to this film. Per Christian and Sven played the principal roles in the stage play of "Elling"; so if you sense that they bring a sense familiar comfort to their acting chemistry, it's because they've shared the stage for hundreds of performances as Elling and Kjell. This movie production of Elling was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film in 2001, and is shot entirely in Oslo Norway which is a captivating and under used European film location.

11 of 11 found the following review helpful:

Tell your friends to see this one!Jun 04, 2003
By Peggy Vincent "author and reader"
Super, super, super.
Two guys in Oslo, terminally mismatched, pair up in a home for mentally disturbed adults. One is huge and maybe a little stupid and full of rage. The other is a bright but wounded and sheltered momma's boy - but then Momma died. After years of therapy (it's not clear how long they're institutionalized), they're released to try to make it on their own, with occasional checkups from a halfway-house sort of social worker who tries to help ease their transition back into society.
Watching these two fellows cope with a ringing phone, feeding themselves, the big bad world outside their apartment, traffic, a pregnant neighbor, and an old poet with a broken car is heartwarming, a little sad at times - but always you find yourself rooting for them to find happiness.
Their small triumphs, larger setbacks, and overall progress make for a touching, unbeat, and absolutely hilarious movie.

9 of 9 found the following review helpful:

You'll laugh 'til you cryJul 23, 2002
By SEP "sepowe"
There's nothing with which to compare this film. The Odd Couple? Perhaps, but I can't remember ever caring about Oscar and Felix as much as I cared about Elling and Kjell Bjarne. The entire audience was rooting for them, and the heartwarming ending made my eyes sting with tears of real emotion. I challenge anyone not to feel the same.

In spite of lukewarm reception by American critics, Elling is bound to be an audience pleaser. It's full of the knee-slapping variety of funny while simultaneously featuring many moments that pull at the heartstrings. The story follows 2 men as they venture from the safe confines of a mental institution in rural Norway. Elling (the serious, dramatic character) longs only for a basic grasp on the world around him; Kjell Bjarne, the hulking, comedic character, wants something far more basic (though not necessarily easier to come by). Their affection for each other, oddly enough is not the least bit hard to believe. That fact stands as proof that the writing is superb.

I can't recommend this film any more heartily. It will please the masses--the serious set will be happy to see a foreign film; those looking for comedy will not be disappointed.

8 of 8 found the following review helpful:

charming story of friends growing past their limitationsJan 27, 2004
By audrey
Elling (Per Christian Ellefsen) and Kjell (Sven Nordin) are roommates in a Norwegian institution, and as the film begins they are being released and given an apartment in Oslo, under the supervision of a social worker, to see whether or not they can survive and thrive on their own. The film takes us through their painful first weeks, when Kjell is driven by sexual frustration and Elling fears leaving the apartment or even answering the telephone, and continues as they develop competence, confidence and even friendships. This is a touching story but is not told as an inspirational or overly sentimental tale; instead it is very human and often quite funny, with a terrific script by Madeleine Fant.

I really enjoyed these two characters as well as those they meet throughout the film, which was nominated for a foreign film Oscar, deservedly so. Director Petter Naess has done a fine job.

The dvd contains no language or subtitle options. Extras are minimal -- three trailers.

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