Watching this movie, I didn't feel as though I was missing out on anything. It is actually the second movie featuring the character Allan Karlsson (played by Robert Gustafsson), and I had no idea that there was a movie prior to it. All I knew was that there was some sort of shenanigans that happened before the cameras were rolling, and I was fine with it being a mystery.
That is sort of the beauty of this film. Life has happened to the protagonist, and there needs to be no real explanation of what it was. It was like the old Venture Brothers episodes that picked up after an amazing feat had happened, and it was just sort of a side thought. The way the first sequences of the movie unfold, you are immediately sent into the world of this 101 year old man and get to know about the people who are close to him.
At the centre of the story is an old Russian soft drink called Folksoda. One taste of it leaves a craving that cannot be filled. It turns out that it was created as a Cold War strategy to have the world trying to emulate the Russian lifestyle instead of that of the Americans. Even President Nixon couldn't help but become obsessed over the beverage.
We find out that Karlsson used to be a double agent during the Cold War, and was a key figure in the development of Folksoda, even if by accident. He is not inept, but he is definitely not the sharpest knife in the drawer. Karlsson is not so dumb as to rekindle thoughts of Bill Murray's The Man Who Knew Too Little, but there are comparisons that can be made. Both characters are part of something that is bigger than them, but they just do their own thing as circumstance guides the story.
I do have to admit that I am writing this a number of weeks after watching it, but that does not mean that the charm of the film has been lost or dwindled over time. Sure, my thoughts on the specifics could be washed away, but the memory of the impression of the film stays. That is always something that you want in a movie. You don't want to watch it and then forget it right away, but rather have it linger on in some way that keeps you returning to it. I cannot help but think of the scenes, the music, and the endearing performance of Gustafsson as the ambling old man who bounces from one element of adventure to another.
Assisting Gustafsson in this performance are the supporting cast members who bring a lot of unique identity to them. My favourite of the bunch is Benny, played by David Wiberg. Benny is meant to be the comedic relief in a film that is full of comedy already. Sometimes this can go sideways, but usually, when properly delivered, it is just something extra that is added to a movie to ensure moments of golden laughter. Benny is the kind of character that tries really hard, but more often than not ends up coming up on the short end of the stick. It is a natural job by Wiberg, and he is a standout in a scene where he is being question by officers over his interest in Folksoda.
Along side Benny are some equally quirky characters. None of them are too over the top for the world that had been created for them. This world functions like the real one, but there are some allowances for the breath of the film and the story that it is telling. It all leads to a happy romp of a movie.
It is a movie for those who like a break in life, and who crave to see a whimsical stroll with a memorable character. It is well directed, and has a vision that is coherent to the rest of the movie. For some reason, this is the type of film that nestles into the corners of my heart and stays for as long as it can. While this may not be the most critical review (thanks to the time it took for me to write it), I can't help but stand by the fact that this is a film that has a personality and a charm of its own and is waiting to win its way into the hearts of viewers like me.
Rating - 3.5 out of 4 stars
Imagine if you waited a few weeks to review 'Mojave?' Is Benny the newlywed? If so, I loved his soft naivete and his gentleness, which leads to him doing a lot of things way over his head and skill level. Like you said, many memorable and fun characters.
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