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Under the Sun

Mixed or average reviews
Based on 18 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?
Based on 6 votes
Read user comments
Rate this movie >
Movie Info
Genre(s): Romance
Written by:
H.E. Bates (novel The Little Farm)
Johanna Hald
David Neal
Colin Nutley
Directed by: Colin Nutley
Release Date:
Theatrical: August 3, 2001
DVD: February 17, 2004
Running Time: 118 minutes, Color
Origin: Sweden
Language(s): Swedish (with English subtitles)
Summary
RATING: Not Rated
Starring Rolf Lassgård, Helena Bergström, and Johan Widerberg
Set in the Swedish countryside in 1956, this is the story of a forty-year-old man living a solitary life on his farm. One day, he places an advertisement searching for a housekeeper, who eventually takes over the household and his heart.
Also On The Web: Internet Movie Database
What The Critics Said
All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...
Chicago Sun-Times Roger Ebert
Movies like this are not for everyone, but arrive like private messages for their own particular audiences.
Read Full Review >Washington Post Stephen Hunter
Simple, earnest and workmanlike, it sings of Olof, glad and big, and how he lost his -- well, we can't say what he lost.
Read Full Review >Washington Post Desson Thomson
Makes a virtue of its own simplicity. But don't be fooled. That simplicity is mere cover. You're kept wondering about the outcome until the very end.
Read Full Review >Los Angeles Times Kevin Thomas
Casts a lovely spell, as warm and seductive as its summertime setting.
Read Full Review >Philadelphia Inquirer Steven Rea
This modest drama is the art-house equivalent of comfort food: satisfying in its familiarity.
Read Full Review >Chicago Tribune Michael Wilmington
Swedish cinema has been famous for a number of things: beautiful actresses, fine sexy psychological dramas, natural settings, cinematic bawdiness and a touch of melancholy. Under the Sun fits that profile well.
Read Full Review >Miami Herald Marta Barber
Under the Sun doesn't intend to be dramatic, much less melodramatic. This beautiful film just wants to capture life's simplicity.
Read Full Review >New Times (L.A.) Gregory Weinkauf
Gentle and gorgeous, honoring atmosphere over attitude.
Read Full Review >TV Guide Ken Fox
A touching coming-of-age story from Sweden, made interesting by the fact that the protagonist is a lonely, middle-aged farmer rather than an adolescent.
Read Full Review >New York Daily News Jack Mathews
Ultimately, it's the casting and the story that are too good to be true. If a newspaper's classified ad section could document a success like this one, there would never be a slump.
Read Full Review >Austin Chronicle Marjorie Baumgarten
The performances are likable and there's nothing really wrong with the story -- other than the fact that Nutley hardly has any story to tell.
Read Full Review >The Globe and Mail (Toronto) Liam Lacey
Sugary but well-acted little emotional button-presser.
Read Full Review >Village Voice Jessica Winter
The kind of quotidian pastoral -- about a simple, honest peasant who finds the greatest love of all -- that the Academy invariably finds irresistible.
Read Full Review >Chicago Reader Staff (Not Credited)
All three lead actors are adroit; but the story, adapted from a short story by H.E. Bates, is both contrived and not very well told.
Read Full Review >The New York Times A.O. Scott
It has the melancholy mildew of both "Marty" and the 1940's weepie "The Enchanted Cottage."
Read Full Review >LA Weekly Mark Olsen
Try as they might, the two central performers can never overcome the film's underdeveloped core, and are left flailing about amid Nutley's listless, glacial pacing.
Read Full Review >What Our Users Said
The average user rating for this movie is 8.8 (out of 10) based on 6 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.
Pablo G. gave it a 10:
Real wonderful movie.
A. W. gave it a 9:
I really liked it! The characters played their roles well. With the exception of Olof, you were always guessing about the motives of the other two. A side note: Helena Bergstrom is one of the MOST BEAUTIFUL actresses I've EVER seen! A face I'll not soon forget...
Debbie M. gave it a 10:
I absolutely LOVED IT! A decent, makes you feel good movie. The location/countryside was beautiful! I want more!
Dayle A. gave it an 8:
A sweet, engaging story that is rarely told--that of mature MAN honestly struggling to learn how to love and trust.
Harold R. gave it an 8:
The cinematography pulled you into the innocent and beautiful setting. The characters had depth, and you were never quite sure what Ellen's motives were until the end.
