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Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed movies.
Show Me Love
Generally favorable reviews
Based on 17 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?
Based on 42 votes
Read user comments
Rate this movie >
Movie Info
Genre(s): Romance
Written by: Lukas Moodysson
Directed by: Lukas Moodysson
Release Date:
Theatrical: October 22, 1999
DVD: October 10, 2000
Running Time: 89 minutes, Color
Origin: Sweden
Language(s): Swedish (with English subtitles)
Summary
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)
Also On Metacritic
FILM: A Hole in My Heart Lilya 4-Ever Together
Also On The Web: Internet Movie Database Excellent Fan Site
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...
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.
Read Full Review >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.
Read Full Review >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.
Read Full Review >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.
Read Full Review >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.
Read Full Review >The New York Times Anita Gates
The film has some charm and a winning simplicity but not an iota of depth.
Read Full Review >Chicago Tribune Michael Wilmington
A light, breezy, often charming little film, with a good cast playing mostly shallow characters.
What Our Users Said
The average user rating for this movie is 9.9 (out of 10) based on 42 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.
Craig M. gave it a10:
I'm almost 17 and I can say that I have seen a lot of movies in my lifetime. "Show Me Love" is by far one of the best movies I've seen. I didn't care that it was in Swedish nor did I care that I had to read the subtitles. It was worth it. As the film finishes and the credits roll, the love between Agnes and Elin and their emotions shown eye movement, behaviour and story will burn into the brain. One question that still puzzles me is that how did Lukas Moodysson great outstanding performances from actresses so young?. Watch this film you won't regret it.
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!!
