VividSimon Simply Perfect

ChanBot i must have seen a different film!!

Orla Zuniga It is interesting even when nothing much happens, which is for most of its 3-hour running time. Read full review

Abegail Noëlle 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.

Sindre Kaspersen Sweden in the start of the 19th century, a time with great social change, unrest, war and poverty. Maja goes to school dreaming of becoming a teacher. When her mother Maria one day wins a camera at a lottery, her boyfriend Sigfrid claims the prize as he paid for the ticket. Maria responds by saying that if he wants a part of the prize he's going to have to marry her.Swedish screenwriter, professor, cinematographer and director Jan Troell "Här har du ditt liv" (1966), "Ole dole doff" (1968) and "Il capitano" (1991) is back after four years of silence with the true story about Maria Larsson, which is inspired by memories told by Maria and Sigfrid's daughter Maja Øman and based on a book written by Jan Troell's wife Agneta Ulfsæter. Through actress Birte Heribertsson's voice-over narration we are initiated in the remarkable life story of Maria Larsson and her turbulent relationship with her husband Sigfrid. With frequent close ups, long takes and perceptive camera movements, Jan Troell creates empathy and reflection within the viewer and invites us into a dense and intimate universe. As with every Jan Troell film the photography is epic and aesthetic, and in "Everlasting Moments" it is a character that tells it's own story. It is of personal style, evokes emotion, is hypnotically beautiful and remains a symbol of eternity.The films melodic theme song and the colorful cinematography creates efficient moods and Niklas Rådstrøm's compassionately told screenplay explores topics such as independence, child upbringing, alcoholism, working class, religion, poverty, destiny, infidelity, love and family life. In her role as Maria Larsson, Maria Heiskanen delivers a strong and gripping performance. Mikael Persbrandt is remarkable in his role as Sigfrid and adds energy and intensity with his prominent presence, while Jesper Christensen delivers a subtle and touching interpretation of photographer Sebastian in one of his finest performances. "Everlasting Moments" is a contemplative study of character with detailed milieu depictions that gives a realistic image of an historic era. A film unified by enchanting moments created by a great filmmaker.

Al Rodbell As I was watching this touching film for the second time in my living room last night, I commented to my wife, "If this were a Hollywood product the role of the mother would have been played by Michelle Pfeiffer" The investors would have demanded a photogenic star who could ensure financial success.The title "Everlasting Moments" was both the photos that the struggling wife of a violent cheating husband produced for economic and emotional independence; but also the story itself, as told by the oldest girl depicted in the film. Only because it was real, was the overarching cultural imperative of the times to remain in a marriage even if abusive, be convincing. Truth, when honestly depicted, has the capacity to weave together the fabric of a society in a way that is impossible for even the best writers of fiction.This was a clearly defined dramatization of an era, devoid of any synthetic sentimentality that would have ultimately detracted from the inherent humanity of a woman doing what she must, given the constraint of her times. It brought in the historic political forces, a rising communist sentiment that fueled the violence of the abusive husband, depicted in his personal conflict between paternal affection and the desire for a more fully experienced life, a conflict that only was resolved through the release of alcoholic oblivion.Understated, yet fully expressed, was the relationship between the mother and her older photographic mentor. It was a strand during the decade depicted in the film, that was all the more touching for the affection between them being conveyed only through a smile and artistic encouragement.While the words were in Swedish, I'm sure that every nuance came through clearly. We were taken to the Malmo of a hundred years ago, when even a simple photograph was the product of a skilled hand, and an inspired vision. This film, simple yet true, reflected the same spirit.I look forward to the next time I view the film for the additional hidden pleasures that will be uncovered.

Nagi4 Well, if it isn't a Swedish epic tale yet again. I have to admit, that even though I'm a big fan of Swedish films, this was just too much "I've seen this before".OK. first the positive: Music was really nice and Maria Heiskanen in her role was superb. The visual aspects of the film was almost done for a Oscar type film, almost as it seemed to be planning it. But because I have had the chance to meet Jan Troell a couple of times, I must say that he's done the film with his heart and not with calculation.But heart doesn't help when the film is too boring and there is too much story to tell. It doesn't hold and it has to jump time levels just to the tell the whole history.I really wanted to like this film as I like the filmmaker a lot. But I couldn't. Michael Persbrandt does a powerful job, but a very similar role that he's done in many films. A bit of yelling and a intensive look. So the same thing. What's new in Swedish cinema? Well "Let the Right One In" is new.I hope that this is not the last film from Mr. Troell and I hope to see one more masterpiece from him. Because I don't want this to bee his last film.

Red-125 Maria Larssons eviga ögonblick (2008), directed by Jan Troell, is showing in the U.S. with the title "Everlasting Moments." It's an unusual movie, and I enjoyed it, but it's hard to describe or review.The film takes place in Sweden, roughly between 1900 and 1920. It's more or less an "I Remember Mama"-type memoir, narrated by the oldest daughter of a married working-class couple--Maria Larsson, played by Maria Heiskanen, and Sigfrid Larsson, played by Mikael Persbrandt.Maria Heiskanen is a very attractive actor, but this part calls for her to appear relatively plain, which she manages to accomplish. (Sort of like Betsy Blair appearing as "the dog" in "Marty.") Her husband is a basically decent sort of guy, who was considered a good catch when they married. Unfortunately, he's a mean drunk and, even when sober, he's not always the best of spouses.What makes Maria different is that she has won a camera in a lottery, and her ability to take photographs moves the plot forward, insofar as it moves forward at all.The film more or less meanders along, with episodes that appear realistic enough, but that don't always seem to be heading in a clear direction from beginning to middle to end. Time moves forward, and people--and the actors who portray them--get older, but the movie doesn't unfold in an "A therefore B, B therefore C" sort of way. This is a movie to watch if you don't demand sex or action, if you don't mind a slow pace, and if you don't mind a movie that appears to be shot more in sepia than in true color. I enjoy that kind of film, so I liked "Everlasting Moments." If your tastes don't run along those lines, I'd pass it by.Incidentally, we saw the film in a theater, but I think it would work well on a small screen.