A Somewhat Gentle Man (2010)
Average Rating: 6.7/10
Reviews Counted: 25
Fresh: 21 | Rotten: 4
No consensus yet.
Average Rating: 6.4/10
Critic Reviews: 10
Fresh: 7 | Rotten: 3
No consensus yet.
liked it
Average Rating: 3.6/5
User Ratings: 3,174
My Rating
Movie Info
Ulrik (Stellan Skarsgård) is a somewhat gentle man. He has no special wishes and makes no demands. He does not give too much thought to what he does either. If he's given some food and a place to sleep, he will give people what they want in return. Whether this be a little affection or a killing. Ulrik has killed some people and crippled a few. It's all part of the job when you're a gangster. Just like doing time. Now Ulrik is out again. Reluctantly... And Jensen is waiting on the outside. He's
Jan 14, 2011 Limited
May 3, 2011
$37.5k
Strand Releasing
Cast
-
Stellan Skarsgård
Ulrik -
Bjørn Floberg
Rune Jensen -
Gard B. Eidsvold
Rolf -
Jorunn Kjellsby
Karen Margrethe -
Jan Gunnar Roise
Geir -
Jannike Kruse
Merete -
Bjørn Sundquist
Sven -
Jon Øigarden
Kristian -
Kjersti Holmen
Wenche -
Julia Bache Wiig
Silje -
Aksel Hennie
Samen -
Henrik Mestad
Kenny -
Ane H. Røvik Wahlen
Kenny's Wife -
Anders Baasmo Christianse...
Junkyard Boss -
Per Frisch
Prison Warden -
Frank Iversen
Bartender -
Lene Kongsvik Johansen
Lady in Bar -
Silje Torp Faeravaag
Fancy Lady -
Viggo Jonsberg
Warehouse Foreman -
Knut Jørgen Skaro
Short Man -
Sverre Horgen
Coughing Man -
Emil Myhre
Kenny's Son -
Håkon Høvik
Kenny's Stand In -
Jesper Myhre
Kenny's Son's Stand In -
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A Somewhat Gentle Man Trailer & Photos
All Critics (25) | Top Critics (10) | Fresh (21) | Rotten (4) | DVD (1)
A sly delight.
Top Critic"A Somewhat Gentle Man'' is welcome, in part because Skarsgård is almost the whole show but also because the actor doesn't use the role as an excuse to put on a big performance - to do more. On the contrary, he quite wonderfully does less.
Only an actor of Skarsgard's resources could do so little and make such a big impression.
Like the Coen brothers at their least convincing, the mix of low-grade depression and amped quirkiness never shakes off the feel of self-conscious posturing.
Every stunted, turnip-faced character is dressed for maximum drabness, and the only time the sky isn't drily gray is when it's wet with rain or snow. But Skarsgard's utter finesse in the role provides a satisfying warmth.
A slim story that becomes schmaltzy at the end.
This Norwegian import quickly surprises as a quirky, dark comedy reminiscent of lightweight Coen brothers.
Skarsgard, who is perhaps best known for "Good Will Hunting" and "Breaking the Waves," makes the most of his rich role, imbuing Ulrik with a knockabout charm.
...a quiet film full of quirky details (a Lappish arms dealer and his dwarf sidekick; the Polish version of Dancing with the Stars on Ulrik's tiny television set), and a worthy addition to the noir comedy genre...
You'll find yourself engrossed -- not just somewhat but completely.
Like many films from this perennially sun- deprived part of the world, "A Somewhat Gentle Man" mixes light and dark humor and sexual candor with an entrenched sense of world-weariness and despair.
It's not bad, but only somewhat funny.
A somewhat charming movie.
Often engaging with just the right balance of poignancy and comedy, although it takes a while for it to gather dramatic momentum. Skarsgård delivers a convincingly heartfelt performance.
Man has the confidence of knowing exactly where it wants to go, and when it wants to arrive; however, you may be just as familiar with the territory as the driver.
Skarsgard's performance is precise and cautious but commanding all the same
The gray Norwegian milieu is memorable, and Skarsgård brings some redemptive soul to the role of a man who gradually begins to understand the aptness of his favorite Pretenders album: Learning To Crawl.
Well-acted story of an ex-con struggling to make a fresh start and finding that the people in his new life are creating roadblocks.
Audience Reviews for A Somewhat Gentle Man
Super Reviewer
Director: Hans Petter Moland
Summary: With revenge on his mind, a gangster (Stellan Skarsgård) who spent 12 years in prison for murder sets out to kill the man (Henrik Mestad) who put him there. But the promise of a normal life -- and news that he's on the brink of becoming a grandfather -- proves a tempting distraction. Suddenly, seeking vengeance doesn't seem nearly as important.
My Thoughts: "I saw way more of Stellan Skarsgard then I planned or wanted to. But besides that little fact, no fun intended, I rather enjoyed the film. I enjoyed the story and I liked Stellan's character Ulrik. He is conflicted with having a new life and getting revenge on the person who ratted him out which landed him in prison for 12 yrs. The film has a subtle hilarity about it. Just the awkward hug, wink, or nod had me smiling or laughing. Really silly actually, but it made me laugh. The whole film is full of awkward moments. Skarsgard does fantastic in his role. There's not a lot of commentary but it works for this film. A good watch if you get the chance to see it."
Super Reviewer
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Foreign Titles
- Ein Mann von Welt (DE)
- A Somewhat Gentle Man (En ganske snill mann) (UK)
Is this a comedy or a drama? The box art has critics' comments that lead me to believe it's a comedy, but the subject matter is remarkably slow and often dark. The comic elements, which allowed me a few minor grins, were quite broad like Ulrik's son's insouciant treatment of the difference between Ulrik and his new family and Ulrik's sexual escapades with his landlord. But the film is inconsistent, often asking us to take seriously Ulrik's moral conundrum, and Stellan Skarsgard's understated performance is more what we're used to seeing in a high-minded drama.
Regardless of its inconsistencies, I found A Somewhat Gentle Man entertaining and easy-to-watch. Its pace is slow, but its characters are ultimately interesting.
Overall, I liked A Somewhat Gentle Man a little more than somewhat.