Overview
A poignant exploration of young love that defies the cynicism of adulthood.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- None
- tender
- wistful
- strangely comic
- summer afternoon
- romantic movie night
What critics said
Critics broadly regard the film as an unusually touching and distinctive portrait of teenage love, praised for its sincerity and freedom from sentimental teenage kitsch.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Pär and Annika's summer relationship is presented with sincerity while surrounding adults dismiss it as temporary young love.
The teenagers' relationship is repeatedly viewed through the adults' disapproval and condescension.
The film combines touching young romance with strangely presented, often cynical adult interactions.
The relationship develops over the summer amid Swedish social and family life.
Films like A Swedish Love Story, and why
The 400 Blows
tender coming-of-age romance centered on adolescent intimacy and emotional sincerity
My Girl
nostalgic, visually observant portrait of young love and resistance to adult expectations
The Last Picture Show
naturalistic teenage romance balancing warmth with melancholy and social observation
Movie Details
- Director
- Roy Andersson
- Release Date
- 1970-04-24
- Runtime
- 119 min
- Rating
- 7.0 / 10 (175)
Cast
- Rolf Sohlman
- Ann-Sofie Kylin
- Bertil Norström
- Lennart Tellfelt
- Anita Lindblom
- Margreth Weivers
- Arne Andersson
- Maud Backéus
- Verner Edberg
- Elsie Holm
Common questions
- What is A Swedish Love Story about?
- Two Swedish teenagers discover an intense summer romance while the adults around them reduce their feelings to a passing phase.
- What is A Swedish Love Story like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of A Swedish Love Story as measured, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is A Swedish Love Story violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in A Swedish Love Story.
- What did critics think of A Swedish Love Story?
- Critics broadly regard the film as an unusually touching and distinctive portrait of teenage love, praised for its sincerity and freedom from sentimental teenage kitsch.
- Which films are like A Swedish Love Story?
- Films with a similar feel include The 400 Blows, My Girl, and The Last Picture Show.
- How long is A Swedish Love Story?
- A Swedish Love Story runs 119 minutes.
