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Show Me Love
Strand Releasing


9.9

based on 17 reviews
Read critic reviews
How did we calculate this?

based on 40 votes
Read user comments
Rate this movie

FILM:

MPAA RATING: Not rated

Starring Alexandra Dahlstrom, Rebecca Liljeberg, Mathius Rust, and Erica Carlson

In a small Swedish town, Elin (Dahlstrom) is a popular, pretty high school debutante, and Agnes (Liljeberg) is one of the least popular girls in school. On a dare, Elin kisses Agnes to see if Agnes really is a "lesbian" and her life is transformed. Elin discovers that she has been repressing something that was innately there all the time, and the two girls fall in love. (Sonet Films)

GENRE(S):	Romance
WRITTEN BY:	Lukas Moodysson
DIRECTED BY:	Lukas Moodysson
RELEASE DATE:	DVD: October 10, 2000 Theatrical: October 22, 1999
RUNNING TIME:	89 minutes, Color
ORIGIN:	Sweden
LANGUAGE(S):	Swedish (with English subtitles)

Original Swedish title "Fucking Åmål"

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...

Los Angeles Times Kenneth Turan

A completely charming reality-based romantic fantasy, both sweet-natured and sympathetic, Show Me Love is a leader of the pack.

Film.com Ernest Hardy

Show Me Love has the pulse of teen life down-pat, shaming its many sleek and glossy American counterparts at every turn.

Austin Chronicle Marc Savlov

So full of good stuff that it's impossible not to fall in love with it.

Philadelphia Inquirer Other (Specify)

Moodysson has an uncanny eye and ear for teen speech and attitude, and is able to capture it without the usual condescension and exploitation.

Mr. Showbiz Kevin Maynard

Moodysson's teen protagonists are more complex than both the high school stereotypes (the nerd, the jock, the beauty queen) in films like "American Pie" and the self-absorbed philosophers on "Dawson's Creek."

Seattle Post-Intelligencer Paula Nechak

Not only feels real, but it avoids preciousness and cute eccentricity and, in its lean, almost grave, cut-and-dried delivery makes more of an emotional impact because we're able to imprint our own memories of adolescence upon it.

Newsweek David Ansen

With honesty, charm and an uncanny sympathy for all its characters, the film takes us deep inside the awkward and exhilarating experience of first love.

Village Voice Jessica Winter

Easily the best teen movie of the year.

New York Post Lou Lumenick

Its portrait of adolescence seems so authentic that it puts most Hollywood products to shame.

Boston Globe Jay Carr

Charming and, compared with most Hollywood films like it, refreshing.

Portland Oregonian Diana Abu-Jaber

American teens will respond to the directness of the issues here, as well as the film's brisk and risky tone.

TV Guide Ken Fox

Shot on reverse film, poet-turned-director Lukas Moodyson's debut feature has a grainy, immediate feel that nicely enhances the story's emotional honesty.

Chicago Reader Lisa Alspector

Powerful, funny romantic drama.

New York Daily News Robert Dominguez

Grainy color stock and tight closeups give the film a realistic feel that's accentuated by natural performances from the able young cast.

Salon.com Charles Taylor

Isn't a good movie. It's drab, visually ugly and a little pokey...but the two heroines are so recognizable as real girls, and the young actresses who play them are so appealing, that you keep rooting for these kids.

The New York Times Anita Gates

The film has some charm and a winning simplicity but not an iota of depth.

Chicago Tribune Michael Wilmington

A light, breezy, often charming little film, with a good cast playing mostly shallow characters.

The average user rating for this movie is 9.9 (out of 10) based on 40 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

R H gave it a10:
It's a great great great movie. Love it .

Fugio O. gave it a10:
This film is so creative and it really does deal with lesbians with teens.

Tracy L. gave it a 10:
After watching this movie the first time, on a whim, for the american title is less than appealing with a colorized cover resembling the movie My Girl, I immediatly started it again. I have seen it now perhaps 20 times, and each viewing I get a deeper appreciation of the subtle details put in, such as the reasoning behind the quick scene with Agnes touching herself, which shows that this attraction is more than etheral, and has a physical reality which leads to a stronger belief in the possibility of this relationship not being a "fling". also the eye movements, unsaid emotions in Elin when talking to Jessica on the swings, or not talking to her about her night before, and Agnes standing on her balcony, eyes roving for answers, and the internal struggle between her wants, and mistrust of Elin. This movie has received little to not attention in the states, whether it be because of Amal's refusal to portray a relationship/love between two people of the same sex as tragic, or the often gritty camera work, which brings this film into a realistic focus of often painful closeness, but I believe this is one of the most incredibaly written, profoundly acted and all around powerful films I have seen in my lifetime. I really can't say enough. It has one, made me feel as if I were a part of that world, that imagined world and story, and two, driven me to think about how characters and movies can transcend the boundaries between reality and fiction and how beautifully transparent those boundaries can become. Do yourself a favor, watch this film.

Jack T. gave it an 8:
I don't normally like foreign language films. But this was really good. I have got sick of French films recently which are hype up and then try to shock you with graphic language, violence and sex. This Swedish directed movie by Lukas Moodysson is excellent. Reminds me of Alfred Hitch at his best. He lets the movie (silence) do the talking. You don't need to understand Sweidsh to watch the movie.

Henrik H. gave it a 10:
I saw it at my school in a Danish Lesson (since we're supposed to have some Swedish). It's a fantastic movie, which I very much reccomend. I don't know how bad the English subtitles are, but it can't be that bad. A must see.

Charlie gave it a 10:
Best movie ever seen!!

Rick P. gave it a 10:
Saw this movie on Showcase and was glued, even though I had to read the subtitles. It was really great and worth a watch.

Show Me Love Strand Releasing

Show Me Love
Strand Releasing