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244 of 257 found the following review helpful:
 So real, it hurtsSep 05, 2000
By Bart
Show Me Love, also known under the 10 times better foreign title of F**king Amal (isn't there some sort of statute of limitations on Puritanism?), is an incredibly frank and naturalistic story about what it is like to be 14, in love, and trapped in a one horse town. The fact that the movie is based in Sweden and focuses on a relationship between two girls does nothing to harm the universal appeal of this intelligent and remarkably well-crafted film. The director, Lukas Moodysson, has such a fine eye for the day to day minutiae of the teen years you will recognize many of the film's best moments whether you are from Lubbock, TX or a place like Amal, Sweden. Alexandra Dahlstrom plays Agnes, a retiring teen who has only one outcast friend even though she has lived in Amal for three years (a fate made more acute by the fact that rumor has it she is a lesbian.) Agnes is of course in love, Who wasn't at 14?, with the most popular girl at school Elin (Liljeberg). One night Elin kisses Agnes to fulfil a cruel dare, and she discovers to her surprise that it wasn't all that bad. Elin reacts to this shock by taking up with a doltish boy to show how "normal" she really is. The resolution to this tangle is not the standard simplistic run down you would get from a Hollywood movie. Throughout the film you are constantly reminded that kids are cruel, even the ones you might be rooting for, and that life is filled with unexpected turns. Overall, a terrific movie that deserves to be seen by more people.
91 of 96 found the following review helpful:
 A Beautiful, Charming little movie!Jun 15, 2001
By Sadiqa L. Dickens
"anaisnine"
I just happened to catch this movie on Cinemax one night while randomly flipping thru the channels. I was immediately struck not only by the cinemetography, which lends a gritty realism to the film, but just by the sheer HONESTY of the movie.. The shy akwardness of falling in love and being with a lover...the catty banter between sisters,dealing with parents, the angst of high school and of being an outcast, going to parties, and of course, dealing with boys who have yet to mature...Everyhing about this movie is THE TRUTH, the characters' emotions, the dialogue...when u watch this movie, you realize these kids could be from NJ , or Paris or anywhere..kids are kids. I was also struck by the performances of the cast in general, but also of the two leads who played Elin and Agnes...I dont know how the director got such honest and nuanced performances from actresses so young, but he did a good job of it..Maybe, its because their teen years arent so far behind , lol...but I think its more to do with sheet talent. Of course, the fact that the two leads are female and fall in love leads to the movie being automatically labled a a lesbian film, but I dont think thats the case. The movie is purely and simply, a love story that anyone, man or woman can relate to. In fact, I challenge anyone to watch this movie and not fall madly in love with it itself! Definitely a must see for all the hopeless romantics out there!
69 of 72 found the following review helpful:
A seriously excellent filmNov 17, 2002
Show me Love (nee "F****** Amal) is perhaps the most realistic portrayal of early teenage life other than Todd Solondz's Welcome to the Dollhouse, except with more tenderness and heart. I would not categorize this film as a "lesbian" movie because the story could have been about a heterosexual couple and it still would have maintained its emotional grab on the viewer. The two leads' acting was very naturalistic. It was almost like watching a documentary; that's how brutally and unsparingly this film and its team of talented young actors capture the realities of the teenage social scene and the pain and contradiction of being in love and being a teenager. The two leads actually looked 15, unlike movies in which 26 year olds play high school students. I was very impressed by the tenderness between Agnes and Elin. When they kiss, emotional fireworks go off. The setup and payoff of that single kiss is so well-earned and glorious that it was worthy of applause. the story may seem cliche, but the execution is far from it. Agnes is a dark-haired, depressed, brooding youth. She knows she's gay. Elin, on the other hand, is popular and blonde, and jokingly says "I'm going to be a lesbian when I grow up." It's not long before we realize that that statement holds more power than we thought. During Agnes's disastrously painful birthday party (complete with Solondz'esque teenage cruelty) she gets to know Elin in a sort of ironic, yet ultimately realistic way. Elin does a cruel homophobic thing to Agnes after being pressured by her "friend." Just as Agnes is slitting her wrists as a result of the mean joke, Elin comes back to give a heartfelt apology. The two strike up a chemistry together and it is because of this chemistry that their relationship so brilliant and full and wonderful.
I really like this movie, and am usually pretty critical of dialogue-heavy movies shot on DV. But the heart and intelligence of the script and acting make this movie very powerful; the oversaturated ugliness of the DV give the documentary feel and is perfectly appropriate for a story about people in a town and environment (Amal, Sweden) that they find hideous in every way. Show me Love is a movie that might be overlooked. If you have an opportunity to see it, don't pass it up!
36 of 36 found the following review helpful:
Foreign Import - Worth The Watch. Good Movie !May 07, 2001
By turtlex
"turtlex"
If you were ever a teenager, then this movie is for you.... Okay, so I'm being a bit broad based here, but this is a great film - and it touches so perfectly on what it's like to be a teenager, the feelings - confusions and emotions - that it's worth it's weight in gold. The story follows a small group of Swedish youth, including an akward young girl "outsider" named Agnes who has fallen in love with her schools "it" girl: the very popular, especially with the boys, Elin. The Elin/Agnes relationship is painful and beautiful at the same time. It's an excellent recollection of what it is to be a teenager in love, regardless of the sexuality. These are honest and true emotions, the kids portrayed could be any in any city, regardless of the country. The film is full of angst and humor and a precious kiss. The subtitles are done well and are easy to read. If I had to pick a complimentary American film - get yourself a copy of "All Over Me" starring the wonderful Alison Folland. Take a chance on this film - You won't regret it. Best Regards, turtlex
19 of 19 found the following review helpful:
Chillingly poignantDec 26, 2001
By Catherine Ryan
Yes, I admit now that I rented this movie for its depiction of a lesbian couple. What can I say - I'm a desperate teenager. I expected to see something of the dramatic worth of, 'But I'm a Cheerleader' - something nice, but corny if it were a standard heterosexual film. How wrong I was. If anything, the relationship and love of the film's title play second fiddle to its exposure of human inadequacy and the clumsiness of youth. From those first few shots of Agnes' very teenage diary writings, to the good intentions of her family as they lovingly yet ineptly profess acceptance of her unpopularity, this is starkly insightful stuff. Lingering shots of characters' silences and solitary moments allow the direction to be reminiscent of Lars von Trier's work in 'Dancer in the Dark'/'The Idiots'. Particularly powerful are the scenes at an adolescent party. Those awkward, teenage encounters, fuelled by furtive first experiences with alcohol and made so hellish by teenage isolation, are depicted with painful accuracy. Of a similar vein are the scenes in which Agnes' family realise that no one is coming to her party ... and those awful scenes with the girl in the wheelchair. Those are so ridiculously painful and awkward that you don't know whether to laugh or be appalled. If there is one thing that detracts from any of this, it is the intrusiveness of parts of the soundtrack, particularly in the scene where the girls first kiss. While blaring guitars are kind of teenage, tacky music always detracts from the delicacy of intimate scenes. Still, this is a small gripe - the film isn't driven by cheap romance, so a small deficiency in this area is negligible. In summary, if you're looking for chicks having sex, rent "If These Walls Could Talk 2". If you're looking for something a little more sophisticated, hire this.
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