All Things Fair (1995)

All Things Fair (1995)
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A young man growing up at a difficult time enters into a relationship that only makes his life more complicated in this acclaimed coming-of-age drama. Stig (Johan Widerberg) is a 15-year-old boy growing up in Malmo, Sweden, in 1942. While WWII rages in Europe, Sweden remains politically neutral, though it's all but impossible for the people of Malmo not to have an opinion about the conflict, and Stig's own brother intends to volunteer to serve on a submarine. Stig has fallen in love with his schoolteacher Viola (Marika Lagercrantz), who is 22 years his senior. To his great surprise, Viola confesses that she's also attracted to Stig; she's stuck in a failing marriage to Kjell (Tomas von Bromssen), a depressive alcoholic salesman, and there's something in Stig's naive desire that touches her. The two become involved in a passionate love affair, which Viola makes little effort to disguise from Kjell; in fact, Kjell becomes friendly with Stig and tries to teach him about his great passion in life, classical music. Eventually, Stig becomes attracted to Lisbet (Karin Huldt), a girl from school his own age, and when they become involved, Stig breaks off his affair with Viola. Viola is not eager to give up Stig, and in time, she retaliates with violence. Lust Och Fagring Stor was the final film from noted Swedish director Bo Widerberg; he died two years after its release -- at the age of 56. Jonah Widerberg, who played Stig, is Bo's son, and was 21 at the time the film was released. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

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Starring:
Johan WiderbergMarika Lagercrantz, (more)
Director(s):
Bo Widerberg
Theatrical MPAA Rating:
NR
Format(s):
DVD
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Synopsis of All Things Fair

A young man growing up at a difficult time enters into a relationship that only makes his life more complicated in this acclaimed coming-of-age drama. Stig (Johan Widerberg) is a 15-year-old boy growing up in Malmo, Sweden, in 1942. While WWII rages in Europe, Sweden remains politically neutral, though it's all but impossible for the people of Malmo not to have an opinion about the conflict, and Stig's own brother intends to volunteer to serve on a submarine. Stig has fallen in love with his schoolteacher Viola (Marika Lagercrantz), who is 22 years his senior. To his great surprise, Viola confesses that she's also attracted to Stig; she's stuck in a failing marriage to Kjell (Tomas von Bromssen), a depressive alcoholic salesman, and there's something in Stig's naive desire that touches her. The two become involved in a passionate love affair, which Viola makes little effort to disguise from Kjell; in fact, Kjell becomes friendly with Stig and tries to teach him about his great passion in life, classical music. Eventually, Stig becomes attracted to Lisbet (Karin Huldt), a girl from school his own age, and when they become involved, Stig breaks off his affair with Viola. Viola is not eager to give up Stig, and in time, she retaliates with violence. Lust Och Fagring Stor was the final film from noted Swedish director Bo Widerberg; he died two years after its release -- at the age of 56. Jonah Widerberg, who played Stig, is Bo's son, and was 21 at the time the film was released. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Theatrical Feature Running Time:
132 mins

Complete Cast of All Things Fair


Director(s):
Bo Widerberg
Writer(s):
Bo Widerberg
Producer(s):
Per Holst
Theatrical MPAA Rating:
NR(Sexual Situations)
Categories:
Romance
All Things Fair Awards:
  • 1996 - Berlin International Film Festival - Blue Angel Award
  • 1996 - Berlin International Film Festival - Silver Bear - Special Jury Prize
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    Member Reviews
     
    Bryan N.

    Lust Och Fagring Stor (strangely translated: All Things Fair) is an excellent Swedish film. The movie concerns an intellectually promising teenager who becomes romantically involved with his English teacher. The "ups and downs" of the affair--and its consequences--form the storyline. Too much description would spoil the movie; suffice it to say, however, there is (1) meaningful dialogue; (2) excellent character development; and (3) an emotionally-layered plot. Interestingly enough, the movie was criticized for being "too unrealistic." Well, we Americans know all too well that these type of affairs actually do occur!!!!

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    Lennart E.

    extremely well made film, very authentic, great acting, and a fascinating story of a college prep school student learning a lesson for life

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    Hal S.

    This film is a mess. It starts off OK but the story just keeps getting more and ridiculous and the editing by the end is a joke. It's like they realized they had junk and just gave up. There are a few interesting views of what Sweden must have been like at the time but other than that it is a waste of time.

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