The Super Network

5/5

“Why didn’t I see this when I was 15?” is what went through my mind a mere 20 minutes into this film. Fucking Åmål is a film that captures teenage life in such a way it feels so real and natural. Writer/Director Lukas Moodysson some how manages to create this interesting and relatable story about teenage girls despite being of the opposite sex. The film takes place in the small town of Åmål, which is away from a big city. It deals with teenage life for two very different girls. You’ve got the popular bored with life Elin (Alexandra Dahlström) and the lonely friendless Agnes (Rebecka Liljeberg) who has a crush on Elin. A chance encounter between the two girls changes everything, and the film shows us how they deal with the situation.

Despite this being set in a small town in Sweden, the themes here are universal. High School was an awkward time for everyone, no matter where you fit in. It was for me, and I found myself having flashbacks all through out this film. I could have been one of those girls, I could relate to so many things that they were going through in the film. I’ve felt Elin’s bored with life problems, I’ve felt Agnes’ loneliness and longing. What really sets this film apart is that it does feel real, nothing is sugar coated here. This isn’t She’s All That where taking your glasses off makes you the most popular girl in school. The real world does not function this way, and Moodysson knows this. I can safely say this is one of the more realistic films about teenage and high school life I have seen. It says a lot when I could see myself in this world, because that was me.

I’d rather not go into more specifics plot wise, however I would like to discuss the performances. Everyone here is strong and believable, these are just such beautiful performances. Cute as a button Rebecka Liljeberg as Anges has this strange innocence about her, while at the same time showing this deep level of sadness and longing. She delivered so much with just her eyes, she didn’t need to really speak, great performance. Alexandra Dahlström as Elin was pretty, sad and also showed that longing. The two girls worked so well together, they really had this gorgeous chemistry together. Whenever they were on the screen together, it lit up. Their scenes are just so lovely and honest, it felt like a kind of magic. The supporting cast are all really strong, especially Agnes’ parents played by Maria Hedborg and Ralph Carlsson, who were so clueless about their daughter but tried to do and say the right things. I had those conversations with my parents, and just like as portrayed here no matter what they said it just did not feel right. It was so well done, and they played off each other well. The teenage boys again just felt so real too, they have those discussions that teenage boys have it was great.

Fucking Åmål is a great achievement, it is a gorgeous film. It is something that is engaging, serious but it also brings a smile or two. The two main characters are interesting and worth your time and investment. It just feels so rare these days that a film has such an impact on me, and this one really did. I felt every frame, Moodysson is such a talented director and he did such a perfect job. This film comes highly recommended, see it, I guarantee you wont regret it. This now has a place as one of my favourite films, like I said at the beginning I just wish I had seen it a lot sooner.