Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #5237 in DVD
• Released on: 2003-04-21
• Rating: Suitable for 15 years and over
• Aspect ratio: 1.78:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Formats: Anamorphic, PAL, Widescreen
• Original language: Swedish
• Subtitled in: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 102 minutes

Amazon.co.uk Review
Full of snow, sex, Volvos and ABBA, Together may at first appear to be a trawl through every Swedish cliché in the book, but is in fact a delightful, absorbing movie. Set in Stockholm in the winter of 1975 it tells of mother of two Elisabeth and her move away from abusive husband Rolf to the strange new world of her brother's commune, the "Together" of the title. Set almost entirely within the house, the action is slight and the plot development limited but the various characters are so strong that that languid nature of the film is a blessing rather than a curse. The humour ranges from the gentle to the bawdy, with the alternative lifestyle of the housemates prone to some gentle but affectionate lampooning. As the two worlds collide, the effect on all parties is clear--not least Elisabeth's two children, her violent partner and her relaxed brother Göran--and the simple final scene brings the piece to a joyous crescendo.

On the DVD: Presented in a quirky manner in keeping with the film's art house origins, the interactive menu offers scene access, the cinematic trailer and a text interview with director Lukas Moodysson. The Dolby digital sound enhances the soundtrack no end, particularly ABBA's splendid "SOS", given a new, more poignant slant by its use in the film. --Phil Udell

Special Features
Swedish
Region 2
English

Synopsis
Set in 1975 Stockholm at a communal living house called "Tillsammans" or "Together," this bittersweet comedy revolves around the members of a radical hippie commune as they fight, fall in love, and struggle to stay together. Director Lukas Moodysson perfectly captures the youthful idealism and visual style of the period, commenting on the social and political climate with a steady dose of irony and heartfelt emotion. The members of the commune, desperate to live in Socialist-like peace, fight about everything including television, meals, and dish-washing duties. One day, Goran (Gustav Hammarsten), a soft spoken and painfully mild-mannered member of the group, brings his straightlaced suburban sister Elisabeth (Lisa Lundgren) and her two children to live at the commune, rescuing her from an abusive husband. Initially, Elisabeth is shocked at the radical political and sexual attitudes of her new housemates but soon she is joining in spirited partying and coming to terms with her own sexual and social awakening. Similar to Moodysson's critically acclaimed 1998 film, SHOW ME LOVE, he portrays sexuality and alienation with a breathtakingly simple honesty. Moodysson also sheds light on the experiences of Elisabeth's two painfully shy children who are trapped in a seemingly crazy adult world. The film offers a refreshing view of the 1970s, fraught with the joys and dangers of social idealism.

Customer Reviews

An uplifting film that really tugs at your emotions.
Together is one of those films that you will not forget. A Swedish film centred on the experiences of the fictional 'Together' collective in the 70s, it follows the trials and tribulations of a group of people who live together because they believe in the value of community. The story is bitter-sweet; it begins with a family break-up and ends in a football match, but inbetween lies the struggle of a community to adapt to change without forgetting what is really important. Exploring some of the fundamental problems of living in a community of individuals with strong (and often varying) beliefs about how to live a better life, the collective tackles such burning issues as whether to eat meat, own a television, go naked in the kitchen or practise open relationships. And the film doesn't shy away from tough issues either; lesbianism, homosexuality, domestic violence, alcoholism, loneliness, men who dress like women, children who pretend to be Pinochet: the film has all this and more.

Beautifully acted, the film has some genuinely funny laugh-out-loud moments, combined with an almost unbearable poignancy.
I think that the overall message of this film is that women, men, and children, living together in a community is a struggle, but that it's worth it; and that fixed ideals must sometimes give way to pragmatism, but this can be a good thing. While the word utopia is never mentioned, this is what the collective is aiming for in their creation of a community that aims for something aspirational and inspirational; ultimately, they dreamed of a better way of life, and then they set out to create it. While their journey is never easy, and not all of the collective survives within the community, the group remains strong, providing a sense of 'home' that is so poweful you can almost feel it emanating from the screen. And for those who leave, there is a place for them elsewhere, in a community that provides a better fit for their values and beliefs. Sounds like utopia to me.
All this and Abba too?! Watch this film - it's magic. The characters will remain with you forever, and I defy you not to be moved by the final scene.

turning the Swediah prototype on its head
It's an ageing hippie commune which doesn't really work, in this film. They are all nice people, quirky, sensitive, and in some cases kindly, but day-to-day life often fires on few cylinders.
What changes things is the presence of a battered wife,whose husband genuinely loves her and hates what he has done, and the children, who view the adults silently but maturely. It is very funny in places and moves, in stuttering stages, towards a warm, very happy conclusion. I loved it and would recommend it to anyone.

PERFECT!
This has to be one of the most 'perfect' movies I've ever seen - blending pathos and comedy in equal parts. It's also immensely nostalgic for anyone who saw 60's/70's hippydom through a child's eyes. It also has the best, most uncontrived happy ending I've seen for many a year. Buy this for a really feel good evening.