 | Turn a Blind Eye
rating: 4
EVIL (Ondskan) is a tough story from the novel by Jan Guillou that in screenwriter Hans Gunnarson's adaptation and Mikael Håfström's direction becomes an intensely interesting while terrifying film about all aspects of evil. It is intelligent, gritty, and transforming simultaneously and has become one of the more powerful coming of age films of this decade.
Erik Ponti (Andreas Wilson) is a young high school lad, the son of a 'blind eye' mother and a viciously abusive father, who makes his way through school by fighting. After a particularly dangerous fight Erik is expelled and in order for him to matriculate into a university he is sent to an academy where he encounters the controlling student leader Otto Silverhielm (Gustaf Skarsgård) who quickly informs him that the discipline of the school is left in the hands of the students: the faculty elects to overlook the shenanigans of the students in favor of teaching in a self-imposed vacuum. Erik is assigned a roommate Pierre Tanguy (Henrik Lundström) who is Erik's opposite: Pierre reads and studies and advocates the non-violence of Gandhi while Erik focuses on his athletic prowess in swimming and tries to submerge his pugilistic nature. But as the school year progresses Erik discovers the extreme evil of the students who govern the student body by violent skirmishes and humiliation of the undergrads. Erik becomes a school champion swimmer, a feat that only draws the envy and hate of Otto and his henchmen and 'times in the ring' bring out Erik's fighting responses. He can take care of himself but when the violence turns toward Pierre, his only friend, he gathers the courage to confront the faculty with the student goon squad activities. Erik has broken a cardinal rule: he is attracted to Marja (Linda Zilliacus), the kitchen help, resulting in Marja's losing her job AND she is pregnant with Erik's child. Erik is expelled, returns home to his supportive but copeless mother, has one final fight with his abusive father, and returns to his school to unmask the realities of student activities that shock the faculty. How this change affects Erik and those that he respects and loves brings some surprises to the ending of this film.
Andreas Wilson offers a multifaceted performance that reminds this viewer of the young James Dean. He is able to make an essentially negative person into someone about whom we care very much. Likewise, Henrik Lundström molds his character with dignity, humor and honor and is the perfect foil for Wilson's transformation. The cinematography by Peter Mokrosinski and the musical score by Francis Shaw add exactly the right atmosphere for this daring little drama. Highly recommended. Grady Harp, August 08
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We are friends, now, aren't we Erik?
rating: 5
"Evil" is a very unique film, in that it is not just foreign, but because of that, it's subject matter is treated in a VERY different way than we are used to seeing, here in the U.S. It is first and foremost, a story of a troubled teen, who has very serious anger issues. Apart from that, however, is an underlying viciousness that young adults seem to harbor in a scholastic setting.
We see Erik, a handsome boy, who seems to vent his pent-up rage upon other teenagers at his local school. After a conference with other school heads, Erik is expelled. It appears that Erik has no other recourse, but to "drop-out". This means a bleak existence for Erik, as in all other countries, a dropout has limited choices as to employment. It is here, that we are witness to Erik's homelife.
His Mother is understandably concerned for Erik's future. She sells some of her prized possessions to raise the money to send Erik to a private school, so Erik still has a chance. Erik's Stepfather is not so accomodating. He seems to have a penchant for punishing Erik for even the most insignificant of "transgressions". It is here, as well, that we understand why Erik is the way he is. It seems that Erik is punished by belt just about every evening.
Then comes the day Erik leaves for his new school. All appears well at first, as he is shown around the campus grounds by an upperclassman. He reluctantly settles into his dorm room and gets to know his "bunkie". Now comes the part that let's Erik know that he has been thrown into a wasp's nest. There are R-U-L-E-S he must follow, to get along (not much has changed, as it is remeniscent of his home life).
Scholastically, Erik is a model student! He is bright, adept physically as well as mentally, and excells. The rules however, become a bane to Erik's existence. He must now do demeaning things that have no apparent purpose (much like "hazing"), other than to push Erik into either confrontation, or compliance. Erik has a complete understanding of the difference between punishment and cruelty, and won't stand for any of it.
It's not much of a stretch to say that Erik has now become the school whipping boy.
One day Erik gets to know one of the school's serving girls (which is forbidden), and falls in love. It is difficult to maintain a relationship, because of their differing schedules, but Erik tries his best, as it is the only positive thing he can look forward to.
Then the hammer falls. It is now open season on Erik! To his credit, Erik takes things in stride, as difficult as it is, because he knows that this school is his last chance, and he will not waste his Mother's money by being a failure. All bets are off, however, when an upperclassman finds out about Erik's Liaison with the serving girl, and reports it to the School Head.
What happens next is surprisingly rewarding. I cannot go further, so as not to ruin it for those of you who haven't seen it yet. "Evil" won many Film Festival awards, and it is easy to see why. Because it is in Swedish with English subtitles, there are many who will not watch it, simply because they do not like reading subtitles! It is their loss, as "Evil" is a very entertaining film!
There are deleted scenes, as well as a "making of" featurette that is very interesting, because it lends insight into the Swedish mindset that created the story for filming.
Easily a five-star film!!
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Nice movie
rating: 4
This talks about the typical guy that enjoy hiting his partners in school. But the interesting part of the movie is when the abusive get abused and he is tied to defend himself. If you like alternative movies this is a good one.
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Come here you library mouse nerd!
rating: 5
An almost orphan with a step father and an "almost mother" gets a punishment because of a fork... result, an agressive and out of this world anger kid who gets a chance of those once in a life time to regret and to become a good guy. He tries, and so he does using friendship and love as a shield; however, what would happen if any of these treasures and dreams get even a scratch... I mean, a small one.
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Sadism Rules
rating: 5
It is strange to realize that this story takes place at "normal" schools in Sweden, not in a special correction institution as British-produced "Scum", for instance, does.
A handsome strong teen-bully suffering a sadist treatment step-father is quick on has found himself in a very special sadomasochist self-rule atmosphere of a private school, having his physical abilities "handicapped" with a fear for expulsion ultimately shuttering any professional opportunities for lacking of a school certificate.
However, not physical fitness and achievements on personal merits but money and social connections rule a local perverted world of stoolies eventually reflecting a reality of one of the last monarchist societies in educated Europe.
Self gender affairs and underage sexuality have been deployed as very basic behavioral constituents of characters screened, far departed from usual images of elitist families' boarding school pupils.
Time runs fast while watching this movie.
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