90
New Times (L.A.) by Bill Gallo
Beautifully observed, miraculously unsentimental comedy-drama.
Me, My Friend and I (Elling)
Critic Rating
(read reviews)User Rating
- Norway
- 2001
- · 89m
Director
Petter Næss
Cast
Per Christian Ellefsen,
Sven Nordin,
Marit Pia Jacobsen,
Jørgen Langhelle,
Per Christensen,
Hilde Olausson
Genre
Comedy,
Drama
Elling lives the first 40 years of his life sheltered by his mother. When she dies, he’s sent to a state institution, where he meets Kjell Bjarne, a female-obsessed virgin in his 40s. After two years, the men are released and sent to live in a state-funded apartment. Can they support each other on their own?
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What are critics saying?
90
L.A. Weekly by Hazel-Dawn Dumpert
Heartwarming here relies less on forced air than on Petter Næss’ delicate, clever direction -- and a wonderful, imaginative script by Axel Hellstenius.
90
Los Angeles Times by Kevin Thomas
A witty and sophisticated sensibility brings individuality to the classic odd-couple comedy.
88
Philadelphia Inquirer by Steven Rea
A sweet but unsticky comedy from Norway that was one of the five foreign- language nominees at this year's Academy Awards.
88
New York Daily News by Jack Mathews
There is a little of all of us in their awkwardness, fears and neuroses, and we root for their success in the mundane as if they were ascending Everest. Elling is still in the running for 2002's most uplifting movie.
83
Entertainment Weekly by Lisa Schwarzbaum
Charms because of its natural, non-magical attitude toward humanity.
80
Variety
A darkly funny, very human comedy.
80
The New York Times by Stephen Holden
Elling believes so fervently in humanity that it feels almost anachronistic, and it is too cute by half. But arriving at a particularly dark moment in history, it offers flickering reminders of the ties that bind us.
80
Washington Post
Bighearted audience pleaser.
80
Washington Post by Ann Hornaday
Bighearted audience pleaser.
80
Variety by Gunnar Rehlin
A darkly funny, very human comedy.
75
New York Post by Megan Lehmann
A gentle comedy, brimming with hope and faith in human resilience.
60
The A.V. Club by Scott Tobias
The natural chemistry between Ellefsen and Nordin keeps the film pleasant and inoffensive, but is there any question about where or when or how it will go?
60
Washington Post by Michael O'Sullivan
Charming but slight comedy.
60
TV Guide Magazine by Ken Fox
Deftly manages to avoid many of the condescending stereotypes that so often plague films dealing with the mentally ill.
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