MartinHafer "A Somewhat Gentle Man" is a story that took me by surprise. While it is very slow-paced and deliberate, I thought this meant the film would be pretty dull. On the contrary...it turned out to be a really neat character study and is well worth seeing.Ulrik (Stellan Skarsgård) has served 12 years in prison for murder. And, the prison folks seem to think he hasn't yet learned his lesson. The viewer isn't sure as well...mostly because Ulrik is a very quiet and subdued man...and what's boiling inside is uncertain. Through the course of the movie you come to actually like the guy and appreciate the many choices he has to make...especially whether to kill the stoolie who sent him to prison!I enjoyed seeing the evolution of the character. And, I appreciate that he did grow and change...but still was true to his original character. How all this transpires, you'll have to see for yourself in this quiet but captivating movie.By the way, this film is a bit adult...with some nudity, sexual situations and a bit of violence.

movie reviews Norwegian comedy about a convict readapting to life outside of prison. This is well crafted comedy. It has an understated and very dry black humor.Reminds me of Fargo but this one is actually funny. From the boss who talks nonstop to the landlady who gets "paid" for her meals.It is intelligently directed and will not irritate you with clichés or boring sequences. To boot you get to immerse yourself in a industrial seamy part of Oslo.This is black humor at its best.RECOMMEND

sergepesic " A Somewhat Gentle Man", is quite a surprise. When I scanned the description of the movie, I expected a crime flick. My mistake for not paying proper attention to detail. Nevertheless, I enjoyed this quirky comedy very much. My experience with the Norwegian comedy is hopelessly limited, but if this movie is typical of it, I wouldn't mind seeing more.The humor swerves between deadpan and grotesque with an amazing ease.The characters are people that life didn't pat on the back. They are beaten, bitter or just plain depressed. The jokes are smart and original, and the actors are not clowning, but playing very serious. That's the reason, probably, that I found this strange little flick so fresh and funny.

John Raymond Peterson Stellan Skarsgård is an accomplished Swedish actor with international experience; he owns his role as Ulrik. The full IMDb storyline captures quite well the setting from which the plot evolves. The title is an excellent choice because that is what he is. At peace with his past but not repentant, because who he killed had it coming. He puts up with unsympathetic friends and family members, except his son who has to break ties with him at the prompting, insistence of his future stepdaughter and her family. Still he takes it in stride. He had respect in prison and now he doesn't but he prefers freedom anyway. He endures humiliating circumstances for a while, but we do see that he is not a pushover when he comes to the defense of a co-worker being abused by her estranged lousy half. The only moment when you understand that for the right reasons he could be violent again, without breaking a sweat; he is committed to do better and what he can to stay on the right path.This movie is about character development, one well worth watching. The movie is slow enough for an English or French speaking audience to follow the subtitles with little problem. It will not be interesting for the audience seeking action or comedy or profound drama. I liked it and recommend it if you have simply seen Stellan Skarsgård in other roles where he spoke either English or French. It is his first role as being somewhat of a gentle man.