The Man Who Loved Yngve (2008) User Reviews

A truly beautiful and moving film

[Darkmirth · 7/10 · 24 March 2009]

I saw this film without having read the book, and although it bears the clear feel of a book-adapted film, it works perfectly. It is generally the case that fans of books are disappointed with film adaptations, and so it is fair that some may dislike the film. However, the apparent lack of narrative (again, understandable from having read the book) is not something I personally noticed. The thought and feeling of the characters is conveyed through that beautiful idea that not everything has to be said - the silence of the characters, the unspoken lines, the long nothings, all resemble what it is like to be and think and feel in the far more incomprehensible reality than we usually see in films and hear in songs. All of the characters show great depth, and are cast perfectly - having never seen a Norwegian film before, it was a nice change, too.

The story itself was original, but simultaneously was perfect for something to relate to. Set in the late 80s - at the time of the collapse of the Berlin Wall - when music culture had a very strong influence, but where political and social values were uncertain, it creates a very suitable backdrop to a story about such uncertainty. The time period was represented very well in the film, with the soundtrack chosen very well. And then there was Fortapt, that beautiful song that Jarle Klepp writes.

My only criticism is that it was too short, and that the editing was a little off in places - the changes between emotionally contrasting scenes was too abrupt in places, and so created some confusion.

It doesn't quite trump The Shawshank Redemption, but Mannen Som Elsket Yngve can sit content as my second favourite film so far.

Close but not close enough

[DiscoViolento · 6/10 · 25 July 2009]

Mannen som elsket Yngve is a book that I've been very fond of and read many times, so when I saw they were making a movie based on it, I was both excited and absolutely terrified. Adding to the excitement was the fact that Kaada was making the soundtrack. I've been a big fan of his for a long time, so hearing some of his music is always a joy.

We follow Jarle, a regular teenager with a band, friends and a girlfriend who he is very much in love with. But when he meets Yngve, everything changes and he finds himself neglecting everything and everyone around him. Everything but Yngve, that is.

The movie manages to keep the plot going and the actors are absolutely brilliant, but as always when it comes to adaption, something is missing. Unfortunately what is missing is very much key and what made me love the book in the first place. It's like they didn't have enough time in the end and tied everything together as quickly as they could. Despite this, Mannen som elsket yngve is a film that I like. Sadly, unlike when it comes to the book, it's not a film I love.

This movie was so close. But it was another 15 minutes away from being great.

Even worse than the book

[eirik-29 · 6/10 · 31 August 2008]

I was very curious on how they were going to make this movie considering the narrative style of the book. What we ended up with was a movie that threw away everything the book had to offer when it came to character development and the main characters thoughts. I do believe that the audience would be confused about the plot if they didn’t know the title of the movie. I didn’t think much of the book after reading it, especially because of the end – and because of all the hype I heard, that really surprised me. Unfortunately is this movie just too plain for a good score, mainly based on the undefined characters and unexplained (re)actions and plot.

A Dated And Homophobic Film That Pretends Otherwise

[dharnold-1 · 11 October 2010]

This film has a very dated feel about it, it's almost as if it were made in a much more homophobic time rather than in 2007. Whilst it's set in 1989 it has that gay-equals-miserable-ending, gay-equals-death-aspect that curse so many state funded Continental European gay films. I mean come on, if films like "Maurice", and My Beautiful Laundrette" which were genuine 80s films, manage to portray a gay positive ending, why on earth can't this film?

Why do I say it's homophobic? Because if the hero had fallen in love with a second girl, as well as his girlfriend, would the film have ended as it does with the suicide attempt and the boy in a mental institution? Would the hero have acted that way towards his secret love at the party? - If the hero's secret love were a girl, what would the hero have shouted at her? "Oh, you bitch, you heterosexual bastard", "Do you think I'm straight?" No, no, the miserable ending was utterly homophobic and inexcusable. Totally inexcusable.

This film reminds me, for some reason, of a 70s US film called "A separate peace" in which the gay love interest has to die! But that film was from the 70s, and was written during the 1940s, when gay writers were riddled with internalised homophobia from the society in which they grew up.

The failure of the love affair was because of the writer's self-homophobia and inability to see the logic through to its end.

Now, if the ending had been happy that would have made for a much braver and much more interesting film. Can you imagine if the hero had fetched his lover from the mental institution and they'd walked out together and publicly and openly proclaimed their gay love to their former girlfriends and friends and school mates? That would have been a much better film.

There were good aspects to the film. I liked the fact that both boys were not that attractive, not muscular, were average boys. I liked the way the relationship with the mother and the father and the girlfriend were portrayed. But I was waiting all the way through for the happy ending, for the boys to declare their love for each other and for this reason I was so disappointed with this awful, miserable, ending.

OK, you may say, "Well that wasn't what the author was trying to say". Well, what was the author saying? What was the point of the film? Was it just to reinforce the horrid view that gay love always ends in suicide and death and mental illness??? And further, why would the Norwegian film board, or whoever put the money up for this, fund such a gay-negative film? Is the Norwegian film board homophobic? Were there really no gay positive films to fund?

Overall, a most disappointing film and yet it had the potential to have been so much better.

Cliché, but lovely

[leticia-49691 · 7/10 · 28 October 2017]

I know that this history is full of clichés, but is the teenage, is all the same anyway. But what enchanted me, was the feel of 89's: the songs, clothes, behaviors. The naivety of the time when all is about music and have fun. I did wish the Hegel was more explored, even yet the other characters. And goddamn, the soundtrack is amazing.

A movie which talk about the doubts of this age. Is a funny film.

Back to the 80's!

[stepflan · 9/10 · 28 February 2008]

Mannen som elsket Yngve is a heart-warming story which will make you laugh and cry at the same time. Now keep in mind that I did not read the book which this movie was based on by Tore Renberg. But this movie actually made me want to check it out. I loved the script and the characters were good and original. The music which is chosen is also great and really fits that whole 80's theme. It's very clear that the makers used a long time picking out every song. I almost felt like I was back in the 80's of Norway. I simply loved all the small details throughout the film such as posters, behaviors and clothing.

My favorite thing about this movie is the mix between humour and drama. The only bad thing I can say about this film is that it is too short. I think some of the scenes should last longer. The scenes where Yngve and Jarle met each other for the first time went too fast. Now as I said, I don't know how the book is. But anyway it's still a great movie.

Atypical romantic film, with meaty beginning and tenuous ending

[BeneCumb · 7/10 · 2 March 2016]

People living in relatively small quantities in harsh environments tend to have uncommon attitudes towards love, friendship, alcohol, etc., but the development of globalisation has brought along and into several aspects of worldwide comprehensions and aspects. The film in question brings us back into the life in Stavanger in the late 1980ies when local youth attempted to enhance their own "small and ordinary" world, with globally influencing political events in the background. The viewers can follow a nice depiction of small events influencing bigger changes, including the development of characters and their views, implemented by smooth plot and good performances (particularty Rolf Kristian Larsen as Jarle Klepp, although he was ca. 7 years older than his character in the film).

I have to admit, however, that the start was more promising, and the ending solutions could have been wittier, more in the UK style (I have not read the book), or all just due to the fact that I do not belong into the target audience and have had no Nordic salad-days. Nevertheless, Mannen som elsket Yngve is far better than most of US so- called college movies.

Gay themed movie of the year

[David_Alexander_L · 10/10 · 9 January 2009]

It is wonderful to know that even in far away rural Norway exciting and moving love stories can find their way to the big screen. This feature is nothing short then a blessing.

Firstly, it describes a time not-so-long ago without internet, mobile phones and ipods. The year is 1989 - a time when people actually had to communicate verbally and face to face for luck of other means. The human touch in the film is very much pronounced. Everything has a slower pace then what we are used to nowadays, and it's wonderful.

The love triangle is very compelling and convincing. Young boy meets the most beautiful other young boy and falls in love without even understanding why or how it will effect his life. In a time and place that being gay is not very well accepted, the story makes a very honest and truthful statement.

The acting of all the cast is very good. Yes, there is talent in Norway! We need more of this please..

A must see for all, highly recommended!