What a waste of my time!!!

Save your money for something good and enjoyable

Awesome Movie

While it is a pity that the story wasn't told with more visual finesse, this is trivial compared to our real-world problems. It takes a good movie to put that into perspective.

I appreciate that this Norwegian movie gets recognition abroad from Norway too. Its just a shame that its not better known as it easily could be a hit in most countries. Another shame is that the subtleties regarding the intricate differences between the main characters will not be fetched by someone who do not understand Norwegian. Elling has a very correct and refined language/accent, while Kjell Bjarne is very blunt and speaks working class Language. Even though I believe this movie could be appreciated all over the world because of the beautiful story and top notch acting.I have seen this movie many times, and still every time I see it I am amazed that it brings out all the different emotion in me. From laughing out loud to crying. Yes you have to be very cold hearted not to be moved by this film.The few criticism I have seen about the movie is about realism (welfare) and the drinking and smoking by a pregnant woman which seems accepted. Well I can confirm that its not unrealistic regarding the Norwegian welfare system. It is as good as in the movie. Regarding the drinking and smoking when pregnant. It is not accepted to do that in Norway, but this is not a story about the average Norwegian and the woman is not from what we can call the privileged part of the society. In fact Norway may be one of the most restricted countries when it comes to both smoking and drinking. And another important factor is that the author has very liberate views.If you have not seen this gem I strongly recommend you to see this one.

Elling (2001), directed by Peter Naess, tells the quirky and occasionally uncomfortable story of two men who are forced to learn how to live a normal life after they move out of a government-run group home. Like a buddy comedy gone astray, socially anxious Elling (Per Christian Ellefsen) and simple-minded Kjell Bjarne (Sven Nordin) are placed in a welfare apartment until they can prove themselves capable of the real world. Elling spent his first forty years living a sheltered life with only his mother, who protected him from others. When she dies, he is placed in the group home due to his crippling anxiety. Elling narrates the terrors of unprotected city life and the editing clearly emphasizes his disorientation and discomfort. As men try to adapt, Elling begins to control Kjell and tries to limit Kjell's attachment to others for fear of losing him. Finally though, Elling develops relationships of his own and begins to cope with the outside world. The actors all give down-to-earth, believable performances that sell the film's most touching moments without going over the top.When the story begins, Elling's narration shows us just how isolated and sheltered he is. The quick cuts between black screen and brief scenes of the government institution reflect Elling's confusion and anger with his changed circumstances. Additionally, Ellefsen (Elling's actor) is entirely stiff and awkward and shies away from contact. A particularly painful montage concerning practice answering a phone shows just how debilitating his anxiety is when it comes to performing simple tasks. The cinematography also excellently reflects Elling's loneliness and discomfort, such as a series of long and far shots in which Elling is the only person in focus. As Elling grows overwhelmed by people, he becomes dizzy, the visual blurs, and Elling goes down for the count. All of this sets the scene well for major changes down the road.One thing Elling really succeeds at is making the viewer feel for all of the characters in turn. At times, it's almost possible to sympathize with Frank, the gruff social worker in charge of Kjell Bjarne and Elling. Frank has his job cut out for him in coaching the men on how the world works. In the aforementioned telephone scene, it's possible to feel Frank's frustration. Yes, he's harsh and impatient, but he does have a lot of seemingly incompetent people to watch out for. He's controlling but with the intent that Elling and Kjell Bjarne figure out real life and move on.A major shift in Elling's outlook is that of controlling to caring. Elling initially tries to make Kjell Bjarne fill his dead mother's role. Their attachment from the beginning is one of necessity and need on the part of Elling. Kjell is stupid and easy to manipulate, so he is forced to do the grocery shopping and everything else that requires going outside. It was at this point I began sympathizing with others besides Elling. He becomes too paranoid to even attempt to adapt and tries to hold Kjell back from meeting new people. It's hard for people with no impediment to normal social function to imagine how challenging daily life can be for someone with severe anxiety, but Ellefsen (in my opinion) brings a lot of truth and accuracy to the role.Luckily, the power of true friendship is finally able to lift Elling from his self-enforced solitude. One of the reasons Elling and Kjell bond in the first place is that their individual strengths make up for the weaknesses of the other. Elling over-thinks everything, but this makes up for Kjell's lack of higher reasoning skills. In contrast, Kjell hunts for connections with people and is fairly easy to get along with. Elling maintains his distance, but eventually begins to adopt Kjell's ease of making friends. Their interactions are frequently at odds, but it is only by challenging each other that they eventually reach some degree of success in the real world.Elling is hilarious at times, painfully awkward at others, but overall is quite charming. The acting and the focus on character make the film what it is: a buddy comedy with a lot of heart. This quirky story about love and friendship is enjoyable at the surface level, but is also satisfying when analyzed further. I highly recommend Elling for casual moviegoers and cinema fanatics alike.

I was so pleasantly surprised by this Norwegian movie. The characters are exceptionally portrayed. I love the different aspects of crazy that they each have to offer. The key turning points for Kjell Bjarne and Elling also happen at unexpected times, which adds a sort of realism to the film. The simple victories these characters win over their anxiety and previously extremely sheltered way of life is so satisfying. You just want them to succeed so badly, so its refreshing to see their growth. This film is about two men who room together in a state institution. Elling is a 40-year-old "mama's boy" who has lived under his mother's roof and has been babied and sheltered by her his whole life. When she dies, Elling is extracted from his home and placed in the institution where he meets Kjell Bjarne. Kjell Bjarne is a 40-year-old virgin who is obsessed with women, sex, and food. Even their first conversation as roommates together in the state institution is about sex. After 2 years, the roommates are released from the institution and sent to live in an apartment to prove that they can live on their own in society. This is where we meet the character Frank Åsli, a social worker and father figure in charge of Elling and Kjell Bjarne. Elling and Kjell Bjarne go through many struggles to learn simple tasks, such as simply answering the phone or doorbell. A big challenge for the two men is leaving the apartment. They gradually progress by experiencing growth in their fundamental life skills. Finally, they arrive at Christmas. They exchange gifts and watch a Christmas program on TV together, but this is also where we meet Reidun. She is a pregnant, single woman who lives above Kjell Bjarne and Elling. From this point on Elling and Kjell Bjarne gain more independence from each other. Reidun is also the inspiration for Elling to write his first poem. This launches Elling on society by compelling him to share his poetry secretly with the city. This is also how Elling meets Alfons Jørgensen, a famous poet, at a poetry reading. From here on Kjell Bjarne and Elling continue to adapt with the help of their new friends. Much detail was drawn to everyday tasks. It makes you realize how many life skills you actually have and that you weren't born just knowing how to answer the phone or mingle with people comfortably. Although these men are in their 40's and learning very fundamental skills of life, everyone had to learn these skills at one point. Elling and Kjell-Bjarne are so defiant and negligent toward responsibility outside of the apartment. People on the outside of their apartment of any kind make them anxious and uncomfortable to the point that they pretend they aren't home.Elling's scene where he explains that he has two enemies, "dizziness and anxiety", was especially interesting. The way that he personifies those dimensions of his character draws specific attention to them. He later shows off his progress when he ventures out of the apartment by expressing, "they (dizziness and anxiety) didn't join me this time." It is very heart-warming to finally see Elling and Kjell-Bjarne take the baby-steps they need to expand their capabilities. From these steps, their confidence grows immensely and their lives really take off. For example, while Kjell-Bjarne is ogling at the waitress at the pub, Elling is in the public bathroom for the first time trying to pee. The moment when the stranger standing next to him snaps his fingers and Elling is successful for the first time at going to the bathroom in public, is such a momentous occasion. Everything from then on spirals into successful growth towards Kjell Bjarne and Elling becoming more and more self-sufficient. That is one turning point for Elling.There are two key times in this movie. One, when Elling and Kjell Bjarne go to the pub. Elling accomplishes going to the bathroom, like previously mentioned, but then immediately after, he calls Frank on the phone and has a simple conversation just telling him what they are doing. Kjell Bjarne and Elling are so pleased about the boundaries that they just stretched that it snowballs from then on. This is when they are truly becoming independent from the institution and their apartment. The second turning point is on Christmas. Elling and Kjell Bjarne are launched into separate interests, creating independence from each other. Kjell Bjarne meets Reidun, who becomes his girlfriend and he spends a lot of time with her. Meanwhile, Elling starts writing poetry, at that same key moment, which launches him into the world of poetry. Through independence from each other and the state institution, these men gain their lives. The look of joy on Kjell Bjarne and Ellings' faces when they accomplish something is like a whole new world opens up to them. It is incredible to watch Elling and Kjell Bjarne succeed with the help of Frank, Reidun, and Alfons. This movie is truly inspiring and warms your heart to see these men succeed.

I have always been interested in Scandinavian countries. Their aloofness has fascinated maybe because of my own aloofness in dealing with things. I have seen two Norwegian films , this and Den Brysommen Mannen. While both are good this one is the better of the two.Elling is a simple tale. This almost could have been a sitcom if the leads weren't mad. Elling is moved into an institution after the death of his mother. He is a fractured soul having never communicated with the outside world. He has seen and interacted with the world only through his mother. At the institution he meets Bjarne wherein the seeds for the beautiful friendship are sown.The movie is about two mad men released from the institution to live in society again. It is very well done. Even the little cheesy ending in the café but it is handled with aplomb that when it actually happens it no longer matters.Anyone who wants to enjoy a quite poetic little film will not be disappointed.