The story is simple. It doesn't have glamourous cast, nor glitz, no complex twists and turns. Rather it has evertything of the everyday, the complexities are in the individuals and their daily lives. It shows the scenic remoteness of the village in Norrland, northern Sweden. You can check out a synopisis elsewhere, but the main character is complex and 'strange' really, but his is a search like all the others amidst a social-cultural context where each is bound up and gagged in a range of ways. Also the past that binds them too. You can at times feel the intensity of it. perhaps that's because it is all too real. The closedness of the small village, the church, the choir. The minister is an interesting and inwardly eaten up guy just like the rest and tortured by his understanding of faith. There are some good lines too as liberation comes for each one of them, though not without pain.Daniel (Michael Nyqvist), a successful and talented conductor, who returns the rural village he grew up in, to recover from a heart attack. No one recognizes him because he had changed his name many years ago. Soon, he is approached to lead the local church choir. As he confronts his own past demons, love comes in the form of one of the choir members, Lena (Frida Hallgren), who helps him to find who he really is. His return though sees him alone in the midst of winter in the village. As he encounters people, he is asked to come lead the choir. He refuses, but is often heard say 'I am here to listen'. I think there is something profound in those words when we go anywahere new and meet new people.
It is its simple story about the beauty of life that makes this film a gem. The music isn't bad either and the scenery all come together and engage your emotions.
I can only agree further with the following comments:
Another thing the audience may have problems with is the simple
characterizations in the film. Everyone has a straightforward role – the
teacher, the artist, the priest, the abuser, the abused, the messiah, the bully;
everything appears so clear-cut and one-dimensional. But, there is so much
honesty in them that their petty differences seem to be a stark reflection of
our own lives.
To top it all off, the film features some truly moving scenes
which will leave you mesmerized with the beauty of music and on a deeper level,
life. Other than the obligatory final inspiring scene, another gorgeous sequence
to look out for is when the abused wife, Gabriella (Helen Sjöholm), sings a song
specially written for her. One of Sweden’s biggest musical stars on stage,
Sjöholm’s voice will enchant the cynic in you.
Sure, there are no loud
explosions and no fancy computer generated effects to draw in the average
movie-goer. But do yourself a favour, watch this film, experience the beauty of
life, and you will take home a piece of heaven with you.
