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Stellan Skarsgård, Lena Headey, Ian Hart, Charlotte Rampling, Fergus McLarnon ... see more see more... , Jason Hetherington , Jean Anderson , John Harwood , John Killoran , Kate Lynn Evans , Louise Goodall

Set in Norway and Scotland, Aberdeen is a road movie that is as concerned with the geography of the heart as that of a topographical map. Kaisa (Lena Headey) is an ambitious lawyer who has just celebr... read more read more...ated her recent promotion by having dominant sex with a man whose name she has no interest in learning. When her estranged mother, Helen (Charlotte Rampling), whom she hasn't been in contact with for a decade, calls her up to tell her that she is dying of cancer, Kaisa is faced with her mother's request to track down her divorced husband, Tomas (Stellan Skarsgard). A raging drunk, Tomas has been frequenting the pubs of Norway for a number of years, and Kaisa, after some initial hesitation, sets out for Oslo to find him. When she is finally reunited with Tomas, his drunkenness prevents them from being allowed on the flight back to Aberdeen, where her mother is hospitalized. Kaisa and Tomas embark on an overland journey that takes them across Norway and on a ferry to England, with Tomas drinking constantly and Kaisa discovering something that may be love with a self-effacing truck driver (Ian Hart). ~ Rebecca Flint Marx, Rovi

Flixster Users

76% liked it

1,384 ratings

Critics

87% liked it

38 critics

Unrated, 1 hr. 53 min.

Directed by: Hans Petter Moland

Release Date: August 17, 2001

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DVD Release Date: April 23, 2002

Stats: 96 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (96)


  • August 6, 2010
    well acted but i hated the storyline it was pointless, strange and just tidious to watch after a while!
  • July 19, 2010
    Cast: Stellan Skarsgård, Lena Headey, Charlotte Rampling, Ian Hart, Louise Goodall, Jason Hetherington, Jean Anderson, Kate Lynn Evans, John Killoran, John Harwood, Fergus McLarnon

    Director: Hans Petter Moland

    Summary: Kaisa (Lena Headey), a beautiful and feisty Scottish wo... read moreman, finally has her life together - at least until her mother (Charlotte Rampling) asks an enormous favor: to bring back to her Kaisa's estranged, larger-than-life father (Stellan Skarsgard). The two of them, father and daughter together, set out on a wild, brutally funny yet heartbreaking journey, which takes them through their emotional past before reaching their ultimate destination.

    My Thoughts: "I was adding movies to my 'instant watch' que on netflix, when I accidently pushed play on this film. I was going to stop it, but thought, "why not?" It was in the end, a happy accident. The movie was a real surprise, and I enjoyed the film. It's quite dark, but acted out brilliantly by Stellan Skarsgard and Lena Headey. Their performances are what made this a four star film for me. There was just so much hurt and anger these characters. She hasn?t seen her father in fifteen years and wants no relationship with either parent. But in the end, shw gives in to her mothers wishes and that is where the journey begins for her and her estranged alcoholic father. Aberdeen is not particularly a pleasant film. In fact, at times it?s difficult to watch. It's an honest film, and Skargard plays his character so well. He is truly a great actor. Great film.. Give it a watch."
  • August 16, 2009
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    A dying mom asked her daughter to bring her alcoholic father from Norway to Aberdeen Scotland, so she can see them before she dies. S... read moretellan Skarsgard played the alcoholic father with low self-esteem and Lena Headey, as Kaisa, their daughter.
    The road trip did not go so smooth, but had some violent and funny moments. But the whole story got sweet and touchy as Kaisa and Tomas learn to understand and even love each other.
    It's a good movie directed by Hans Petter Moland and extremely well-acted by Stellan Skarsgard and Lena Headey.
  • June 1, 2009
    Stellan was so amazing in this. An incredibly powerful performance from him, and an amazing movie overall.

Critic Reviews


Michael Wilmington
February 14, 2002
Michael Wilmington, Chicago Tribune

Grips us precisely because its actors are so utterly absorbed in their roles, so unfettered and nakedly expressive. Full Review

Loren King
January 11, 2002
Loren King, Boston Globe

An uncompromising family tale, one that's dark but lyrical and moving in its rendering of the ties that bind even the most dysfunctional families, despite valiant efforts to destroy them.

Kevin Maynard
October 20, 2001
Kevin Maynard, Mr. Showbiz

[A] frank father-daughter drama. Full Review

Kevin Thomas
October 19, 2001
Kevin Thomas, Los Angeles Times

A raw, harrowing film with a streak of dark, sometimes rowdy humor. Full Review

Stephen Hunter
October 8, 2001
Stephen Hunter, Washington Post

Clean and transparent, with no movie director tricks.

Steven Rea
October 4, 2001
Steven Rea, Philadelphia Inquirer

A little European indie pic that digs down to the roots of its characters, describing people's lives and relationships in ways that resonate with clarity and heart.

Stanley Kauffmann
September 26, 2001
Stanley Kauffmann, New Republic

I cannot think of another film that treats so heatedly the range of emotional possibilities between a young woman and her father.

Michael O'Sullivan
September 13, 2001
Michael O'Sullivan, Washington Post

Difficult to watch, but it's also impossible to take your eyes off the screen.

John Anderson
August 17, 2001
John Anderson, Newsday

Moland has again directed Skarsgard into a new frontier of dramatic acting, and what is probably the most nakedly convincing performance of his career. Full Review

Stephen Holden
August 17, 2001
Stephen Holden, New York Times

A ferociously observant study of two characters. Full Review

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