House of Angels
House of Angels
R | 06 August 1993 (USA)
House of Angels Trailers

In a small village in Västergötland, everything is turned upside-down when the local loner dies and his cottage is inherited by his unknown relative Fanny. She rides into town on a big black motorcycle with her androgynous boyfriend Zack, wearing black leather and spikes. When they decide to stay, Flogfält's plans to buy the cottage are upset.

Reviews
ahmedturkey

As a Turkish man now living in Sweden I must confess I often watch Scandinavian movies. Most if them I never understand. I think actors from Scandinavia work best in Hollywood. Last week I watched a film called "The Polish Wedding" together with a polish friend of mine and we both said it was the worst movie we ever watched. Unfortunately I was wrong this movie " House of Angels" is even worse. None of the actors can act, absolutely not the female so called star Helen Bergstrom. The plot is so silly nobody can believe it.I think the whole thing is a mess from the start. lots of bad acting except from Selldal and Wollter. Ahmed Sellam

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Erik

Why this film hasn't been made into a kind of "Ambassador movie" for Sweden, incorporated into any of the pro-Sweden sites on the web is a mystery. And the irony of it all is that it's made by an Englishman, not a Swede. But, an outside eye sees so much more than that of a native one.First of all, I want to emphasize the quality of the music score in this movie, as it's the true highlight of the production in good company of a well written story and very nice acting by all participants. One can easily go buy the music (prod. by Björn Isfält) without even seeing this movie, and it'll still mesmerize you in the same way the film does. I've also heard that the actors played without much of a script, instead improvising on a bare-bone story explained by the wonderful director Colin Nutley.Helena Bergströms character Fanny has that natural bubbling laugh and 24-carat happiness that comes thru so well in this film, nicely contrasted by the calmer, darker side of Zac (Rickard Wolff). They are the eye of the storm of which the revolving happenings spin. The spinning isn't that of a big-budget action movie, but what a relief when you start to know the characters, as they are immensely more interesting than any gunslinging desperado. The music, the Swedish summertime and small-time dealings in a village on the countryside is what you need to have a great time. Nothing more, nothing less. I will not give any spoilers as that would ruin the whole setup. See it and maybe you want to come experience the Swedish summer, one of the most enjoyable things in the world. 8 out of 10.

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jen_woodside

Colin Nutley's Swedish sleeper, "House of Angels", is a real gem. Set in small town Sweden, it's about a woman who comes from the big city to claim her ancestral home, after the death of her grandfather whom she never met. The townspeople are not welcoming to this city girl. As she pieces together information about her dead mother and grandfather provided by the townspeople, she learns more about herself. The themes of forgiveness and self-knowledge are evident, but not over sentimentalized. The small-mindedness of the Swedish townspeople is captured well by Nutley; anyone who has lived in a small community will recognize some of the characters.This is a quirky, funny and at times poignant film, crafted by an excellent director and even better actors.

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Rick Blaine

Colin Nutley has a way of finding what truly is Sweden where Swedes themselves would search for such clarity. Fanny and Zak are great characters, come to an isolated village out in the Swedish "landsbygden" and Nutley exposes Sweden through the juxtaposition of two conflicting life styles. There are scenic shots in this movie which make any lover of Sweden sigh with bliss. Those that claim that this is the Englishman's finest movie are probably right - it's a true classic.

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