I was so pleasantly surprised by this Norwegian movie. The characters are exceptionally portrayed. I love the different aspects of crazy that they each have to offer. The key turning points for Kjell Bjarne and Elling also happen at unexpected times, which adds a sort of realism to the film. The simple victories these characters win over their anxiety and previously extremely sheltered way of life is so satisfying. You just want them to succeed so badly, so its refreshing to see their growth.
This film is about two men who room together in a state institution. Elling is a 40-year-old "mama's boy" who has lived under his mother's roof and has been babied and sheltered by her his whole life. When she dies, Elling is extracted from his home and placed in the institution where he meets Kjell Bjarne. Kjell Bjarne is a 40-year-old virgin who is obsessed with women, sex, and food. Even their first conversation as roommates together in the state institution is about sex. After 2 years, the roommates are released from the institution and sent to live in an apartment to prove that they can live on their own in society. This is where we meet the character Frank Åsli, a social worker and father figure in charge of Elling and Kjell Bjarne. Elling and Kjell Bjarne go through many struggles to learn simple tasks, such as simply answering the phone or doorbell. A big challenge for the two men is leaving the apartment. They gradually progress by experiencing growth in their fundamental life skills. Finally, they arrive at Christmas. They exchange gifts and watch a Christmas program on TV together, but this is also where we meet Reidun. She is a pregnant, single woman who lives above Kjell Bjarne and Elling. From this point on Elling and Kjell Bjarne gain more independence from each other. Reidun is also the inspiration for Elling to write his first poem. This launches Elling on society by compelling him to share his poetry secretly with the city. This is also how Elling meets Alfons Jørgensen, a famous poet, at a poetry reading. From here on Kjell Bjarne and Elling continue to adapt with the help of their new friends. Much detail was drawn to everyday tasks. It makes you realize how many life skills you actually have and that you weren't born just knowing how to answer the phone or mingle with people comfortably. Although these men are in their 40's and learning very fundamental skills of life, everyone had to learn these skills at one point. Elling and Kjell-Bjarne are so defiant and negligent toward responsibility outside of the apartment. People on the outside of their apartment of any kind make them anxious and uncomfortable to the point that they pretend they aren't home.
Elling's scene where he explains that he has two enemies, "dizziness and anxiety", was especially interesting. The way that he personifies those dimensions of his character draws specific attention to them. He later shows off his progress when he ventures out of the apartment by expressing, "they (dizziness and anxiety) didn't join me this time." It is very heart-warming to finally see Elling and Kjell-Bjarne take the baby-steps they need to expand their capabilities. From these steps, their confidence grows immensely and their lives really take off. For example, while Kjell-Bjarne is ogling at the waitress at the pub, Elling is in the public bathroom for the first time trying to pee. The moment when the stranger standing next to him snaps his fingers and Elling is successful for the first time at going to the bathroom in public, is such a momentous occasion. Everything from then on spirals into successful growth towards Kjell Bjarne and Elling becoming more and more self-sufficient. That is one turning point for Elling.
There are two key times in this movie. One, when Elling and Kjell Bjarne go to the pub. Elling accomplishes going to the bathroom, like previously mentioned, but then immediately after, he calls Frank on the phone and has a simple conversation just telling him what they are doing. Kjell Bjarne and Elling are so pleased about the boundaries that they just stretched that it snowballs from then on. This is when they are truly becoming independent from the institution and their apartment. The second turning point is on Christmas. Elling and Kjell Bjarne are launched into separate interests, creating independence from each other. Kjell Bjarne meets Reidun, who becomes his girlfriend and he spends a lot of time with her. Meanwhile, Elling starts writing poetry, at that same key moment, which launches him into the world of poetry. Through independence from each other and the state institution, these men gain their lives. The look of joy on Kjell Bjarne and Ellings' faces when they accomplish something is like a whole new world opens up to them.
It is incredible to watch Elling and Kjell Bjarne succeed with the help of Frank, Reidun, and Alfons. This movie is truly inspiring and warms your heart to see these men succeed.
This film is about two men who room together in a state institution. Elling is a 40-year-old "mama's boy" who has lived under his mother's roof and has been babied and sheltered by her his whole life. When she dies, Elling is extracted from his home and placed in the institution where he meets Kjell Bjarne. Kjell Bjarne is a 40-year-old virgin who is obsessed with women, sex, and food. Even their first conversation as roommates together in the state institution is about sex. After 2 years, the roommates are released from the institution and sent to live in an apartment to prove that they can live on their own in society. This is where we meet the character Frank Åsli, a social worker and father figure in charge of Elling and Kjell Bjarne. Elling and Kjell Bjarne go through many struggles to learn simple tasks, such as simply answering the phone or doorbell. A big challenge for the two men is leaving the apartment. They gradually progress by experiencing growth in their fundamental life skills. Finally, they arrive at Christmas. They exchange gifts and watch a Christmas program on TV together, but this is also where we meet Reidun. She is a pregnant, single woman who lives above Kjell Bjarne and Elling. From this point on Elling and Kjell Bjarne gain more independence from each other. Reidun is also the inspiration for Elling to write his first poem. This launches Elling on society by compelling him to share his poetry secretly with the city. This is also how Elling meets Alfons Jørgensen, a famous poet, at a poetry reading. From here on Kjell Bjarne and Elling continue to adapt with the help of their new friends. Much detail was drawn to everyday tasks. It makes you realize how many life skills you actually have and that you weren't born just knowing how to answer the phone or mingle with people comfortably. Although these men are in their 40's and learning very fundamental skills of life, everyone had to learn these skills at one point. Elling and Kjell-Bjarne are so defiant and negligent toward responsibility outside of the apartment. People on the outside of their apartment of any kind make them anxious and uncomfortable to the point that they pretend they aren't home.
Elling's scene where he explains that he has two enemies, "dizziness and anxiety", was especially interesting. The way that he personifies those dimensions of his character draws specific attention to them. He later shows off his progress when he ventures out of the apartment by expressing, "they (dizziness and anxiety) didn't join me this time." It is very heart-warming to finally see Elling and Kjell-Bjarne take the baby-steps they need to expand their capabilities. From these steps, their confidence grows immensely and their lives really take off. For example, while Kjell-Bjarne is ogling at the waitress at the pub, Elling is in the public bathroom for the first time trying to pee. The moment when the stranger standing next to him snaps his fingers and Elling is successful for the first time at going to the bathroom in public, is such a momentous occasion. Everything from then on spirals into successful growth towards Kjell Bjarne and Elling becoming more and more self-sufficient. That is one turning point for Elling.
There are two key times in this movie. One, when Elling and Kjell Bjarne go to the pub. Elling accomplishes going to the bathroom, like previously mentioned, but then immediately after, he calls Frank on the phone and has a simple conversation just telling him what they are doing. Kjell Bjarne and Elling are so pleased about the boundaries that they just stretched that it snowballs from then on. This is when they are truly becoming independent from the institution and their apartment. The second turning point is on Christmas. Elling and Kjell Bjarne are launched into separate interests, creating independence from each other. Kjell Bjarne meets Reidun, who becomes his girlfriend and he spends a lot of time with her. Meanwhile, Elling starts writing poetry, at that same key moment, which launches him into the world of poetry. Through independence from each other and the state institution, these men gain their lives. The look of joy on Kjell Bjarne and Ellings' faces when they accomplish something is like a whole new world opens up to them.
It is incredible to watch Elling and Kjell Bjarne succeed with the help of Frank, Reidun, and Alfons. This movie is truly inspiring and warms your heart to see these men succeed.