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Stellan Skarsgård, Bjørn Floberg, Gard B. Eidsvold, Jorunn Kjellsby, Jan Gunnar Roise ... see more see more... , Jannike Kruse , Bjørn Sundquist , Jon Øigarden , Kjersti Holmen , Julia Bache Wiig , Aksel Hennie , Henrik Mestad , Ane H. Røvik Wahlen , Anders Baasmo Christiansen , Per Frisch , Frank Iversen , Lene Kongsvik Johansen , Silje Torp Faeravaag , Viggo Jonsberg , Knut Jørgen Skaro , Sverre Horgen , Emil Myhre , Håkon Høvik , Jesper Myhre , Julia Bache-Wiig

Ulrik (Stellan Skarsgård) is a somewhat gentle man. He has no special wishes and makes no demands. He does not give too much thought to what he does either. If he's given some food and a place to slee... read more read more...p, he will give people what they want in return. Whether this be a little affection or a killing. Ulrik has killed some people and crippled a few. It's all part of the job when you're a gangster. Just like doing time. Now Ulrik is out again. Reluctantly... And Jensen is waiting on the outside. He's a boss with professional pride, and it is important for Jensen that Ulrik kills the snitch that ratted him out. Official Selection of the Berlin Film Festival. Winner at Chicago Film Festival, Silver Hugo Award. -- (C) Strand

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71% liked it

3,004 ratings

Critics

84% liked it

25 critics

Unrated, 1 hr. 45 min.

Directed by: Hans Petter Moland

Release Date: January 14, 2011

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DVD Release Date: May 3, 2011

Stats: 124 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (124)

  • hunterjt13
    April 29, 2012
    hunterjt13
    A recently released convict adjusts to life outside and the temptations to avenge his imprisonment.
    Is this a comedy or a drama? The box art has critics' comments that lead me to believe it's a comedy, but the subject matter is remarkably slow and often dark. The comic elements... read more, which allowed me a few minor grins, were quite broad like Ulrik's son's insouciant treatment of the difference between Ulrik and his new family and Ulrik's sexual escapades with his landlord. But the film is inconsistent, often asking us to take seriously Ulrik's moral conundrum, and Stellan Skarsgard's understated performance is more what we're used to seeing in a high-minded drama.
    Regardless of its inconsistencies, I found A Somewhat Gentle Man entertaining and easy-to-watch. Its pace is slow, but its characters are ultimately interesting.
    Overall, I liked A Somewhat Gentle Man a little more than somewhat.
  • LWOODS04
    April 27, 2012
    LWOODS04
    Cast: Stellan Skarsgård, Bjørn Floberg, Gard B. Eidsvold, Jorunn Kjellsby, Bjørn Sundquist, Jon Øigarden, Kjersti Holmen, Jan Gunnar Røise, Julia Bache-Wiig, Aksel Hennie

    Director: Hans Petter Moland

    Summary: With revenge on his mind, a gangster (Stellan Skarsgård) who spent 1... read more2 years in prison for murder sets out to kill the man (Henrik Mestad) who put him there. But the promise of a normal life -- and news that he's on the brink of becoming a grandfather -- proves a tempting distraction. Suddenly, seeking vengeance doesn't seem nearly as important.

    My Thoughts: "I saw way more of Stellan Skarsgard then I planned or wanted to. But besides that little fact, no fun intended, I rather enjoyed the film. I enjoyed the story and I liked Stellan's character Ulrik. He is conflicted with having a new life and getting revenge on the person who ratted him out which landed him in prison for 12 yrs. The film has a subtle hilarity about it. Just the awkward hug, wink, or nod had me smiling or laughing. Really silly actually, but it made me laugh. The whole film is full of awkward moments. Skarsgard does fantastic in his role. There's not a lot of commentary but it works for this film. A good watch if you get the chance to see it."
  • itsjustme2004
    April 24, 2012
    itsjustme2004
    Norwegian black comedy/drama at its best. Real characters. Pathetic at times. Funny at times. Rather slow moving, but done in the right way. This is one of those films that draws you in until the end. Well done...
  • skactopus
    October 24, 2010
    skactopus
    A Somewhat Gentle Man, from Hans Petter Moland, is somewhat of a crime movie.

    Behind it all, the plot does have the pieces to create an absorbing 110 minutes, but the slow burn of the story does take its toll over time before picking up for the finale. The film does

    ... read more keep a lot of the key plot details in the dark for as long as it can, which isn't a bad idea, but some scenes do tend to drag and be uneventful. Actually, eventful but not in an enjoyable manner is a better way to put it.

    The comedy throughout the film is of crude and mature humor. Some of the simple and also long winded dialogue are the originators for some chuckles. The actions of some of the oddball characters conjure up some laughs as well. The plethora of "unmentionable romance" scenes on the other hand, is just plain disturbing.

    The casting is good. All the attention of this film is on Stellan Skarsgard and he delivers an acceptable performance. Bjorn Floberg and Gary B. Eidsvold also have enjoyable characters.

    When it comes to the entertainment value of A Somewhat Gentle Man, it is a mixed bag. Try it and find out. That's all there is to it.
  • gator681
    March 25, 2012
    gator681
    "A Somewhat Gentle Man" starts with Ulrik(Stellan Skarsgard), a man of little words, being released from prison after 12 years which he faces with no little reluctance. It is a little surprising considering he is quickly greeted by his old boss, Jensen(Bjorn Floberg), who sets h... read moreim up with housing with Karen(Jorunn Kjellsby) where he is able to get a Polish channel on his old television.(This is also proof that there is simply no escaping 'Dancing with the Stars' but maybe he can tune in an Andrzej Wajda film.) And Ulrik is able to get a job quickly as an auto mechanic for Sven(Bjorn Sundquist) where Merete(Jannike Kruse) warns him to not even think of it. Well, maybe it has to do with Jensen telling him he has to repay his debts, starting with killing the witness who put him away.

    In general, I have a theory that films will not mention when a protagonist has committed a murder for fear of losing sympathy which "A Somewhat Gentle Man" disproves in its own offbeat, deadpan and often amusing way.(Admittedly, that woman getting rudely dropped in a dumpster was not funny in any way.) Much of that goes towards the movie's central theme of adjustment and accpetance for ex-cons. But some of the plotlines actually feel more like digressions. And even with a subtle change of tone, the movie is simply too long for its slight aspirations. That's even with the always welcome and charismatic presence of Stellan Skarsgard who is entirely credible as a middle-aged sex symbol.
  • mvieaddict
    July 10, 2011
    mvieaddict
    Swedish movie, A somewhat Gentle man was definitely a different kind of movie. At first I couldn't quite go with it, but since Stellan Skarsgard is one of my favorite actors, I decided to give it a try, and I must admit it was worthy watching. The plot seemed to develop slowly an... read mored the dialogues in the beginning did not have the sparkles to make you feel so interested, instead, they were little, and the people were not handsome, but ordinary, old and worn out and the sex scenes were out of magic and less erotic. But behind all this, there was humor and sadness that was at times heartbreaking. Each character had their history, could be abandonment, abuse, shortcomings, all these showed the way they interact to each other, showing lack of emotion. And then came this gentle man, Ulrik,good performance by Stellan Skarsgard, an ex cold blooded murderer, who could see their hopelessness and somehow tried to give them what they needed. And it was not that he wanted to be a better man, but because he could no longer be who he was. He wanted to be the father he never was, he wanted to be accepted. At the end he had a smile on his face, which was a sign he chose a better life, after killing the last shadow of his past. I highly recommend this movie, but you need to be patient.

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Critic Reviews

Colin Covert
March 3, 2011
Colin Covert, Minneapolis Star Tribune

A sly delight. Full Review

Ty Burr
February 24, 2011
Ty Burr, Boston Globe

"A Somewhat Gentle Man'' is welcome, in part because Skarsgård is almost the whole show but also because the actor doesn't use the role as an excuse to put on a big performance - to do more. On the co... Full Review

Carrie Rickey
February 3, 2011
Carrie Rickey, Philadelphia Inquirer

Only an actor of Skarsgard's resources could do so little and make such a big impression. Full Review

Sheri Linden
January 27, 2011
Sheri Linden, Los Angeles Times

Like the Coen brothers at their least convincing, the mix of low-grade depression and amped quirkiness never shakes off the feel of self-conscious posturing. Full Review

Lisa Schwarzbaum
January 20, 2011
Lisa Schwarzbaum, Entertainment Weekly

Every stunted, turnip-faced character is dressed for maximum drabness, and the only time the sky isn't drily gray is when it's wet with rain or snow. But Skarsgard's utter finesse in the role provides... Full Review

V.A. Musetto
January 14, 2011
V.A. Musetto, New York Post

A slim story that becomes schmaltzy at the end. Full Review

Jeannette Catsoulis
January 14, 2011
Jeannette Catsoulis, New York Times

Patiently directed by Hans Petter Moland, Ulrik's journey back to life slowly draws you in. Full Review

Andrew O'Hehir
January 13, 2011
Andrew O'Hehir, Salon.com

One of the funniest movies I've seen in years. If you suspect that says more about me than about the film, you might be right. Full Review

Nick Pinkerton
January 12, 2011
Nick Pinkerton, Village Voice

The grungy setting and unflattering photography are only camouflage for callow, creeping sentimentality. Full Review

Ray Bennett
January 11, 2011
Ray Bennett, Hollywood Reporter

An oddball comedy with criminal undertones. Full Review

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