Swedish crank surprised by life
Like Bill Murray in “St. Vincent” and Jack Nicholson in “About Schmidt,” Rolf Lassgård’s title character in “A Man Called Ove” is a curmudgeonly retiree whose lonely life takes an unexpected turn.
It’s a time-honored template but one that still works magic with the right actor and balanced tragicomic tone as demonstrated with this Swedish submission for best foreign-language Oscar consideration.
Put out to pasture after working 43 years for the same firm, Lassgård’s testy Ove occupies his days policing his neighbors and visiting the grave of his recently departed wife.
Even in the throes of depression, this “nit-picking obstructionist” still remains tethered to his prickly principles — he’s the kind of person who demands a refund for the rope that broke during one of his several suicide attempts. It takes the arrival of spirited new Persian neighbor (Bahar Pars) and her young family to gradually pull Ove out of his funk, and although the plot, taken from the bestselling novel by Fredrik Backman, adheres to a familiar path, it’s nonetheless affecting.
Incorporating f luid f lashbacks and snippets of narration that refreshingly serve to enhance rather than distract, director-writer Hannes Holm maintains a gentle, lyrical flow while coaxing fine performances from a diverse cast. “A Man Called Ove.” Rating: PG-13, for thematic content, some disturbing images and language. In Swedish and Persian with English subtitles. Running time: 1 hour, 56 minutes. Playing: Laemmle’s Royal, West L.A.