Elling (2002)
91%RT Audience Score: 91%
Awards & Nominations: 1 win & 3 nominations
Elling is a delightful and charming film that manages to touch on a variety of themes without ever feeling heavy-handed or preachy. The titular character, played with nuance and precision by Per Christian Ellefsen, is a truly unique creation, one whose quirks and foibles are both endearing and relatable. The film’s exploration of the lives of marginalized individuals is both smart and poignant, and the humor is never forced or over-the-top. Overall, Elling is a triumph of intelligent filmmaking, one that will leave audiences both laughing and moved.
Elling is a charming and heartwarming film that will make you laugh and feel good. The characters are a bit crazy, but that’s what makes them so lovable. The story touches on important themes like friendship, acceptance, and the power of a helping hand. Per Christian Ellefsen gives a fantastic performance as Elling, a character who is both relatable and unique. Overall, Elling is a delightful movie that will leave you with a smile on your face.
Production Company(ies)
K&SFilms, El Deseo Televisión Federal
Distributor
First Look
Release Type
Filming Location(s)
MPAA / Certificate
Unrated
Year of Release
2002
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Color:Color
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Sound mix:Dolby
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Aspect ratio:NA
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Runtime:1h 24m
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Language(s):
-
Country of origin:United States
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Release date:Release Date (Theaters): May 29, 2002 Original
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 19, 2002
Genre(s)
Comedy/Drama
Keyword(s)
Elling, Per Christian Ellefsen, Sven Nordin, directed by Petter Naess, written by Ingvar Ambjørnsen, Axel Hellstenius, comedy, drama, R rating, box office gross, $313.4K, reviewed by Neil Smith, David Parkinson, Philip Wuntch, Michael O’Sullivan, Ann Hornaday, Ty Burr, John A Nesbit, Mark Halverson, Daniel Kasman, Jurgen Fauth, Andrea Chase, Ian Mantgani, mental disability, psychiatric institution, Oslo, Norway, independent life, apartment, social worker, unconventional methods, mental health, heart-warming, gentle, warm, quirky
Worldwide gross: NA
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): NA
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): NA
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): NA
US/Canada gross: NA
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): NA
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): NA
US/Canada opening weekend:
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): NA
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): NA
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): NA
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): NA
Production budget ranking: NA
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
ROI to date (est.): NA
ROI ranking: NA
Sven Nordin – Kjell Bjarne
Per Christensen – Alfons Jørgensen
Jørgen Langhelle – Frank Åsli
Marit Pia Jacobsen – Reidun Nordsletten
Hilde Olausson – Gunn
Director(s)
Petter Naess
Writer(s)
Ingvar Ambjørnsen, Axel Hellstenius
Producer(s)
Dag Alveberg
Film Festivals
Awards & Nominations
1 win & 3 nominations
Academy Awards
All Critics (59) | Top Critics (20) | Fresh (50) | Rotten (9)
July 23, 2003 | Rating: 3/5
Neil Smith
BBC.com
TOP CRITIC
April 21, 2003 | Rating: 4/5
David Parkinson
Empire Magazine
TOP CRITIC
It’s affectionate and optimistic without being fuzzy.
December 5, 2002 | Rating: B+
Philip Wuntch
Dallas Morning News
TOP CRITIC
A charming but slight comedy.
September 13, 2002
Michael O’Sullivan
Washington Post
TOP CRITIC
Elling, portrayed with quiet fastidiousness by Per Christian Ellefsen, is a truly singular character, one whose frailties are only slightly magnified versions of the ones that vex nearly everyone.
September 13, 2002
Ann Hornaday
Washington Post
TOP CRITIC
Touches smartly and wistfully on a number of themes, not least the notion that the marginal members of society … might benefit from a helping hand and a friendly kick in the pants.
September 13, 2002 | Rating: 3/4
Ty Burr
Boston Globe
TOP CRITIC
really is about a couple of crazy guys, and it’s therapeutic
July 24, 2011 | Rating: B
John A. Nesbit
Old School Reviews
August 7, 2008 | Rating: 4/5
Mark Halverson
Sacramento News & Review
August 7, 2004 | Rating: B
Daniel Kasman
d+kaz. intelligent movie reviews
A pleasant surprise.
October 15, 2003 | Rating: 4/5
Jurgen Fauth
About.com
April 5, 2003 | Rating: 4/5
Andrea Chase
Killer Movie Reviews
Just because the characters are crazy, that doesn’t mean they are not smart.
April 2, 2003 | Rating: 3/4
Ian Mantgani
UK Critic…
Plot
Hello, my name is Anna and I am nine years old. I wish you had known me before – I mean before my aunt Marga and my cousin Pilar came to my parents’house -, I was such a happy little girl. Before their coming life was a bed of roses. Of course my little brother could be a pain in the neck – little brothers always are, aren’t they? – but there was that wonderful big house, there was my Cuban-born nanny who cooked so well, there was the bath before dinner, not to mention this wonderful catechism class at the catholic school. But they did come, those Spanish intruders. And now never heard before names like “Franco”, “Allende”, “Women’s Lib”, “abortion”, the lot, have got into my life. Daddy and Mummy have suddenly become “communists”, although this a term that Bon Papa and Bonne Maman (my grandparents from Bordeaux, in fact) just hate. Because of the intruders not only did we move to a tiny apartment but the place is invaded day and night by “barbudos” (bearded men). No more bath before dinner and no more catechism class. How long will I be able to tolerate such a scandal?
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
Elling stars Per Christian Ellefsen and Sven Nordin as the two main characters.
Petter-Naess.jpg
