OK 5 stars, but this is becos I am no longer attracted to "romantic" or charming films, so says more about me than the film. Saw this on free-to-air TV last week. A very sweet & charming film with an endearing heroine, beautifully played. Mia, who is very lovely (dunno what Finnish definition of beauty is), has such low self-esteem that her personality is submerged beneath her need to "fit in" with her bitchy female friends & her sexually exploitative boyfriend. In this well written & cleverly crafted "rites of passage" film, her desperation with her situation finally blossoms into nihilistic anger; which - rather than being off-putting - actually has the opposite effect on her life. The film traces this effect on her various relationships - with her aging hippy parents, her feminist vegan girlfriends, her bourgeois faux-punk drummer boyfriend, potential new guy & most unexpectedly of all, the troubled youth her socially committed parents are fostering. The film has many comic moments & cleverly satirizes the self-consciously hip & politically correct members of society. Mia is adorable - tiny, energetic & bouncy - & stays in your mind long after the film ends. And yes, the film does contain the F word. Like half the programmes on telly & most films. (Remember 4 Weddings etc.) See it!!!
8 Reviews
Swedish non-virgin non-suicide
Shaolin_Apu14 July 2005
The title of the film may be misleading, because in Sweden the concept 'Miss Sweden' applies to any Swedish girl, who lives her life under normal conditions. It seems that the whole term 'Miss Sweden' is thus democratized and the title should be understood in this context. The film itself presents charming and promising young actress Alexandra Dahlström, whose character in the film is not charming at all. Moe is dirty and little overweight anti-hero with pimples and messy hair and ugly haircut. Instead of being a cute young woman, she's more like a hobbit, and the director even puts her running along the trail and stumbling in the woods to make this impression stronger. She's also very unlucky with her boyfriends, who are somewhat older than her and they don't even love her. She's just having sex with them until she gets rejected. In any case she is not a whore, because she does it for free and of pure credulity.
Funny things happen as she starts rebelling against her environment and these ensuing situations are the best and funniest moments in the whole movie. She makes mistakes, but gains sympathy. She is however not always easy to bless with sympathy because in one scene she may be having sex with a dude, and at another she utters the English four-letter-word as if nursery rhyme she's almost a child disgusting! If this movie had been made in the USA it could have been produced in totally different manner. But if you were looking for pleasure because of that, here's one special item for you. I only watched it for its interesting subject, but it did not give anything special for me. The film has not a story that teaches us anything.
Funny things happen as she starts rebelling against her environment and these ensuing situations are the best and funniest moments in the whole movie. She makes mistakes, but gains sympathy. She is however not always easy to bless with sympathy because in one scene she may be having sex with a dude, and at another she utters the English four-letter-word as if nursery rhyme she's almost a child disgusting! If this movie had been made in the USA it could have been produced in totally different manner. But if you were looking for pleasure because of that, here's one special item for you. I only watched it for its interesting subject, but it did not give anything special for me. The film has not a story that teaches us anything.
Miss Sweden... not at all!
thecatrin2 March 2005
"Fröken Sverige" is a film about a girl who just got out of high-school and tries everything to fit in todays harsh reality. The movie's trailer is actually quite intriguing, thus misleading. Moa, the female lead character. is a vegetarian, communist, photographer and everything that's expected to be cool in youth Sweden today. However, when she finds out that her small universe is really a shallow world where she obviously doesn't fit, she makes a u-turn and fights for her pride! And this does sound like a great plot or? The theme is so typically "swedish" with the fake drama, rebellious teenagers and as usual unintelligent(plus all unnecessary swearing), short dialogue. The fact that we're missing something to glue all the pieces together, which leaves us with not totally unrelated but neither interesting scenes, it's like looking at an unfinished puzzle. There should have been more thought added to the directing to give some credit and a change of music to add some spark to the movie.
Light, engaging and ultimately satisfying film about a young woman struggling with friends, ideals and finding love.
jmiller-illustrated23 January 2009
I found this film to be engaging and very enjoyable. I recently saw it on late night television and became quite involved in the plot, primarily because of the lead character Moa.
Alexandra Dahlström's performance is the best thing in this film, but the story line is the second best: a large percentage of the audience would be able to identify with many of the concepts and themes that are touched on, including bullying, sexuality, foster care, drug use, crime, animal rights and popular culture. There is a simple yet poignant remark on Moa's need to rebel against the very group of friends who are supposedly rebels themselves, yet who allow their principles and idealism to make them narrow-minded and resistant to change. I also found it interesting that the character of Kim was so set against romantic love and happiness as though they had become something meaningless and undesirable, almost dirty.
Moa seems to stumble her way through many mistakes (mainly relating to her attempts at relationships with the opposite sex) and there is a kind of edge-of-your-seat anxiousness as you wait to see what she'll decide to do next.
After standing up to her so-called friends she discovers a new-found self-reliance. From here others begin to give her more respect. It is only toward the end that she realises she doesn't need anyone else to make her happy. Simple, life-affirming stuff that might sound clichéd but thanks to the down-to-earth characters feels genuine nonetheless.
Alexandra Dahlström's performance is the best thing in this film, but the story line is the second best: a large percentage of the audience would be able to identify with many of the concepts and themes that are touched on, including bullying, sexuality, foster care, drug use, crime, animal rights and popular culture. There is a simple yet poignant remark on Moa's need to rebel against the very group of friends who are supposedly rebels themselves, yet who allow their principles and idealism to make them narrow-minded and resistant to change. I also found it interesting that the character of Kim was so set against romantic love and happiness as though they had become something meaningless and undesirable, almost dirty.
Moa seems to stumble her way through many mistakes (mainly relating to her attempts at relationships with the opposite sex) and there is a kind of edge-of-your-seat anxiousness as you wait to see what she'll decide to do next.
After standing up to her so-called friends she discovers a new-found self-reliance. From here others begin to give her more respect. It is only toward the end that she realises she doesn't need anyone else to make her happy. Simple, life-affirming stuff that might sound clichéd but thanks to the down-to-earth characters feels genuine nonetheless.
someone lost the script?
Matt00010 September 2005
Don't watch this movie. There's no plot, no character depth and the dialog is awful and makes all participants feel dumb. As for the script I can't remember the last time I saw a story less inspired. They could just as well have been developing the plot on the spot. It also feels chopped up in different parts that just doesn't come together. It's actually hard to find anything positive to say about this movie. There's little chemistry between the actors and the scenes feel very acted as opposed to genuine. Working your way through the whole movie is a matter of discipline and endurance.
As a final note I've seen many people want to compare this movie to "Fucking Åmål" (aka "Show me Love"). If I was Lukas Moodysson I would feel insulted by the movies even being compared.
As a final note I've seen many people want to compare this movie to "Fucking Åmål" (aka "Show me Love"). If I was Lukas Moodysson I would feel insulted by the movies even being compared.
This is a well rounded story
jimbobaus2 July 2006
Contrary to what others have said, this movie is very well made, well scripted and well put together.
It is a very sweet good looking teen angst drama that shows Swedens rising star Alexandra Dahlstrom at her best. She plays a 19 year old girl who is trying in a way to find her self and she has a tendency to embrace all the fads of the day. It shows a deep look into the pshyche of a young girl growing up. She has issues with her lifestyle, her family, the men in her life yet she still manages (some how) to keep it all together.
I recommend this movie to anyone interested in the genre. Don't believe what "others" have read... it is a quality film!
Highly recommended!
It is a very sweet good looking teen angst drama that shows Swedens rising star Alexandra Dahlstrom at her best. She plays a 19 year old girl who is trying in a way to find her self and she has a tendency to embrace all the fads of the day. It shows a deep look into the pshyche of a young girl growing up. She has issues with her lifestyle, her family, the men in her life yet she still manages (some how) to keep it all together.
I recommend this movie to anyone interested in the genre. Don't believe what "others" have read... it is a quality film!
Highly recommended!
Enjoyable, bouncy little romantic comedy
varga212221 January 2007
Echoing another poster here, don't listen to the naysayers on this one.
Fröken Sverige is a fun little movie. Won't make you laugh out loud, won't make you cry, but will certainly charm you.
It's about Moa, who's 19, works in a toilet paper factory, lives in a small house with low ceilings in the country and is trying, comically, to find herself. She's a bit of a shlub, her friends - a small group of vegans/band members/protesters who all live in the city - care for her but don't terribly respect her much. Meanwhile, the drummer of the band, whom she has a crush on, treats her like yesterday's trash and she keeps coming back for more - until one day, that is.
It's mostly a story about how she, with a couple of new friends on her side, finds herself, gains confidence and gets control of her life.
I loved this film. It's enjoyable, light and bouncy, in a "Singles" sort of way. Alexandra Dahlstrom - well, she carries the film and you just plain fall in love with her (if you haven't already from "Show Me Love"). She's a particular kind of star. Diminutive with a cute crook to her smile and eyes that speak volumes, she's certainly got a presence on screen. Also, with her tiny legs, she's got a interesting, funny run as well.
A deep and brooding film? No. Life affirming? Not really. But who cares. Sometimes it's just enough to be entertaining, fun and charming - and Froken Sverige certainly is. Lastly, the soundtrack is just great - particularly the tracks from Melpo Mene.
Fröken Sverige is a fun little movie. Won't make you laugh out loud, won't make you cry, but will certainly charm you.
It's about Moa, who's 19, works in a toilet paper factory, lives in a small house with low ceilings in the country and is trying, comically, to find herself. She's a bit of a shlub, her friends - a small group of vegans/band members/protesters who all live in the city - care for her but don't terribly respect her much. Meanwhile, the drummer of the band, whom she has a crush on, treats her like yesterday's trash and she keeps coming back for more - until one day, that is.
It's mostly a story about how she, with a couple of new friends on her side, finds herself, gains confidence and gets control of her life.
I loved this film. It's enjoyable, light and bouncy, in a "Singles" sort of way. Alexandra Dahlstrom - well, she carries the film and you just plain fall in love with her (if you haven't already from "Show Me Love"). She's a particular kind of star. Diminutive with a cute crook to her smile and eyes that speak volumes, she's certainly got a presence on screen. Also, with her tiny legs, she's got a interesting, funny run as well.
A deep and brooding film? No. Life affirming? Not really. But who cares. Sometimes it's just enough to be entertaining, fun and charming - and Froken Sverige certainly is. Lastly, the soundtrack is just great - particularly the tracks from Melpo Mene.
Ms. Great
stensson13 September 2004
This is about the vegans in a small Swedish town. People who think they are without prejudices, which is totally wrong. Totally wrong indeed.
It's a conventional movie Tove Magnusson-Norling has done, but within its limits, it's humorous and it has Alexandra Dahlström. Probably the most talented Swedish actress in her young generation, she forms a portrait, not just from bringing attitudes together. She already has a performed character and gives the illusion of a character not knowing herself how she will react. That makes her part surprising, like she was a real human being.
There's lot of humor here and the wisdom to be learned, that you shouldn't take anything for granted or think you really know somebody.
It's a conventional movie Tove Magnusson-Norling has done, but within its limits, it's humorous and it has Alexandra Dahlström. Probably the most talented Swedish actress in her young generation, she forms a portrait, not just from bringing attitudes together. She already has a performed character and gives the illusion of a character not knowing herself how she will react. That makes her part surprising, like she was a real human being.
There's lot of humor here and the wisdom to be learned, that you shouldn't take anything for granted or think you really know somebody.
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