GOTTA SEE IT # 6 - "ELLING"

“ELLING”

Starring: Per Christian Ellefsen, Sven Nordin, Marit Pia Jacobsen, Jorgen Langhelle, Per Christensen.
Written by: Ingvar Ambjornsen and Axel Hellstenus
Directed by: Petter Naess
Colour – 2001
88 mins.
Norway

Buddy movies – they are a dime a dozen. Many are lazy, unfunny and seem to take it as a given that two guys (or girls) hanging out together is inherently funny and compelling. That reminds me, have you seen “Bad Boys”? The good ones, though, “Scarecrow”, “California Split”, “Midnight Run”, “Sideways”, distinguish themselves by building real characters with real inner lives whose personalities are in constant conflict with one another. It’s these sparks that fly from the tension between the two, as if they inhabited a world unto themselves, that make or unmake these films. Good writing, directing and acting also help as well.

Two maladjusted adult men, Elling (Per Christian Ellefsen) and Kjell Bjarne (Sven Nordin) recently released from an institution, are given an apartment, in Oslo, and tasked with the challenge of living on their own. If they fail, it’s back to the institution. That’s the film. It’s a simple, straightforward story about co-dependence, growing and learning to overcome your fears and, most importantly, it’s damn funny.

Another key ingredient to the “buddy film” is the discovery that, even though these two friends are complete opposites, they fill in the gaps of the other. In this case, Elling is the agoraphobic, anxiety ridden brain to Kjell’s dim, caring, and outgoing beast. Kjell pushes Elling to leave the safety of their apartment and connect with the world around him, while Elling helps Kjell romantically connect with neighbour Reidun Nordsletten (Marit Pia Jacobsen).

Ellefsen and Nordin make a great team. Ellefsen plays Elling’s uptight, nervous, know-it-all with great ease and depth. There’s no overplaying here, just a perfect fit for actor and role. Nordin brings great warmth and child-like energy to the oaf’s oaf that is Kjell Bjarne. But, Bjarne is the straight man here and it is Ellefsen’s wonderful turn as Elling that triggers most of the laughs. The opening, in which the two initially click, is a brilliant bit of comedic give and take.

Even though I’d describe this as a “slight” film, with many terrific comic moments, “Elling” also has stretches that are full of depth and tenderness. There are some real dramatic craftsmen at work here. The scene at Christmas is a marvelous funny-moving sequence that foreshadows what’s to come for the two and it is followed by one of the funniest bits in the movie.

So, if you’re looking for a kooky buddy movie set in Norway – okay, even if you’re not – then pick this one up. “Elling” is worth the time and effort to get to know.