Everlasting Moments (2008)

Good story about life in Sweden in the early 1900s. Here are descriptions good about growing up in the working class, and a turbulent marriage.The film is about Maria Larsson and her family. Although the film is basically a drama about how hard life could be for those who were poor at this time, it is about much more.The film is about following their dreams and how important it is to have real commitment. The protagonist is a fantastic photographer. Life is tough. There are many children as she must take care of. Despite this, we can follow her development and see how her talent evolves over several years.Good person depictions characterizes this drama. Mikal Persbrandt as always good as the rough husband. The film is told through one of their children in retrospective. It works fine.Recommended for those who enjoy good person drama, in a historic setting.

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.

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.

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.