Scandinavian love story with twist

ON the surface, Svenskj'vel (Underdog) appears to have little new to offer in the way of a romance story, but looks can be deceiving.

While the basic plot points stay true to the traditional love story clich's (boy meets girl, boy falls in love with girl, boy creates drama that threatens to tear them apart), there is much simmering underneath with a pair of terrifically naturalistic performers bringing it to life.

Jobless and cash-strapped Swede Dino (Bianca Kronlöf) chances upon a babysitting job for Norwegian middle class business owner Steffen (Henrik Rafaelsen) looking after his two girls, including awkward tomboy teenager Ida (Mona Kristiansen).

Despite the cultural, class and age differences, the two have a connection and spark up a relationship, but Steffen never seems to be quite as comfortable with Swede when his friends and family are around.

Had this fallen into the hands of Hollywood, it could have been a nauseating experience, but writer/director Ronnie Sandahl favours nuance and subtlety over schmaltz and sentimentality.

Not only does he let the characters develop at a natural pace (as opposed to rushing to the next conflict), but he has given them a vivid and realistic context to exist in.

The cultural conflict offers a cultural history for these characters that is rarely offered in film about romantic relationships; it opens the movie up for a broader scope and allows a third dimension to proceedings.

Kronlöf and Rafaelsen are dynamic yet understated and are complemented by Kristiansen in a heartbreaking role.

This is the kind of bittersweet love story that we need to see more of, one that doesn't rely simply on yanking heart strings and trying to make its audience weep.

Svenskj'vel (Underdog) is screening as part of the Scandinavian Film Festival from July 23 – 29.

THE ESSENTIALS

Svenskj'vel (Underdog)

Directed by: Ronnie Sandahl

Starring: Bianca Kronlöf, Henrik Rafaelsen

Four stars

Review by: Julian Wright