Main Cast: Lisa Lindgren, Michael Nyqvist, Gustaf Hammarsten, Anja Lundkvist, Jessica Liedberg
Release Year: 2000
Country: SE/IT/DK
Run Time: 106 minutes
MPAA Rating: R
Plot
The second feature from Lukas Moodysson, who directed the internationally acclaimed Fucking Åmål, Tillsammans is the tale of life on a Stockholm commune in the mid-'70s. After suffering more than her share of abuse from her husband, Rolf (Michael Nyqvist), Elisabeth (Lisa Lindgren) takes her two children, Stefan (Sam Kessel) and Eva (Emma Samuelsson), to a commune run by her brother Göran (Gustav Hammarsten). Life at the commune is crowded with people with laid-back attitudes towards sex, nudity, and recreational drug use, prompting plenty of political debate. Göran's partner, Lena (Anja Lundkvist), is a particular proponent of free-spirited bed-hopping, something Göran doesn't really like but tolerates. Lena duly gets involved with the rebellious Erik (Olle Sarri) and finds fulfillment in the form of her first orgasm, something that leads her to confess to Göran that she was always faking it with him. Meanwhile, various dramas are at work amongst the other commune members, including the once-married Lasse (Ola Norell) and Anna (Jessica Liedberg) (who split up when Anna announced she was a lesbian) and Klas (Shanti Roney), whose advances to Lasse are continually rebuffed. The goings-on of the commune are observed and commented on by a pair of neighbors, Margit (Therese Brunnander) and Ragner (Claes Hartelius), whose marriage is so lackluster that Ragner masturbates compulsively. Their son, the fat and miserable Fredrik (Henrik Lundström), befriends Elisabeth's daughter, Eva, who longs to have a family again. When Rolf appears on the scene seeking reconciliation, it seems Eva may get her wish. ~ Rebecca Flint Marx, All Movie Guide
Review
Lukas Moodysson's Together opens in 1975, with a radio announcement that Generalissimo Francisco Franco is dead. At the Tillsammans (Together) commune, an impromptu celebration erupts, which includes two small children jumping up and down excitedly, shouting, "Franco is dead! Franco is dead!" Thus, Moodysson cunningly opens his film by showing us the infectious energy and idealism of the commune members, and gently mocking them for their knee-jerk response. Moodysson, director of the similarly complex, funny, and thoughtful Fucking Åmål (released in the U.S. as Show Me Love), maintains this affectionately mocking tone throughout the film. Though the subject matter and behavior depicted is often crude, Together is a subtle film full of small gestures that convey a range of powerful emotions, and half-spoken thoughts that reverberate into decisive action. Much of what the characters say and do is worthy of ridicule, but Moodysson's film is richly observant and he never loses sight of their essential humanity. Rolf, the estranged husband, well played by Michael Nyqvist, is a prime example. First seen as Elisabeth (Lisa Lindgren) angrily leaves him to join Tillsammans, he seems to be little more than an abusive drunken clod. As his efforts to get Elisabeth back and maintain his relationship with his two children continually backfire, he sinks into an even more pathetic state. But in the end, his utter desolation and his unremitting determination to make amends and regain his family's love endear him to the audience. He's still a mess, but his basic humanity can be appreciated. Moodysson perfectly and truthfully captures the milieu of this commune in 1975, but his greatest strength as a filmmaker is that, like the legendary Jean Renoir, he recognizes that "everyone has his motives." ~ Josh Ralske, All Movie Guide
