Stepping out of Fredrik Backman’s bestselling novel (Swedish, 2012), Ove is the quintessential neighbourhood grouch. A boisterous young family moves into his street, sparking a tale of unreliable first impressions, interacting opposites and life’s unexpected twists, all generously laced with Nordic black humour. Lead actor Lassgård, who played Wallander in the Swedish TV adaptation of the detective series, needed persuading to take on this “comic” role. He credits the mask created by famed make-up duo Eva von Bahr and Love Larson with inspiring his interpretation: “It really opened my mind and got my imagination.”
The 3rd most watched Swedish cinema-film in Sweden of all time, A Man Called Ove is a WFC Members’ Choice film, topping the members’ vote last year.
“Veteran dramatic actor Rolf Lassgård so inhabits the role of Ove as to make it seem like documentary. Lassgard never tries to get a laugh; indeed, Ove can’t see anything that’s funny.” Paul Byrnes, The Sydney Morning Herald
“Greatly benefits from its genre-blending efforts: infusing black comedy into the dark thematic content and drama […]. The sets are well-thought out and brimming with small but significant details, with the Swedish canvas subtly rendered in an ever so slightly cartoonish way.” Nathan Osborne, Film Inquiry