All three lead actors are adroit; but the story, adapted from a short story by H.E. Bates, is both contrived and not very well told.
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What are people saying?
What are critics saying?
The New York Times by A.O. Scott
It has the melancholy mildew of both "Marty" and the 1940's weepie "The Enchanted Cottage."
San Francisco Chronicle by Edward Guthmann
A charming, finely nuanced romance.
New Times (L.A.) by Gregory Weinkauf
Gentle and gorgeous, honoring atmosphere over attitude.
Village Voice by Jessica Winter
The kind of quotidian pastoral -- about a simple, honest peasant who finds the greatest love of all -- that the Academy invariably finds irresistible.
Austin Chronicle by Marjorie Baumgarten
The performances are likable and there's nothing really wrong with the story -- other than the fact that Nutley hardly has any story to tell.
Under the Sun doesn't intend to be dramatic, much less melodramatic. This beautiful film just wants to capture life's simplicity.
Chicago Tribune by Michael Wilmington
Swedish cinema has been famous for a number of things: beautiful actresses, fine sexy psychological dramas, natural settings, cinematic bawdiness and a touch of melancholy. Under the Sun fits that profile well.
Chicago Sun-Times by Roger Ebert
Movies like this are not for everyone, but arrive like private messages for their own particular audiences.
Washington Post by Stephen Hunter
Simple, earnest and workmanlike, it sings of Olof, glad and big, and how he lost his -- well, we can't say what he lost.