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Italiensk for Begyndere (Italian for Beginners) (2001)

tomatometer

88

Average Rating: 7.2/10
Reviews Counted: 82
Fresh: 72 | Rotten: 10

Unlike many romantic comedies, the charming Italian for Beginners feels natural and genuinely heart-warming.

88

Average Rating: 7.5/10
Critic Reviews: 26
Fresh: 23 | Rotten: 3

Unlike many romantic comedies, the charming Italian for Beginners feels natural and genuinely heart-warming.

audience

76

liked it
Average Rating: 3.7/5
User Ratings: 5,764

My Rating

Movie Info

The Dogma 95 movement has seen some searing looks into the human condition but rarely a romantic comedy -- until now. Veteran Danish filmmaker Lone Scherfig spins this deadpan look at a group of lovelorn outsiders living in a grey corner of Copenhagen. After the perennially foul-tempered minister of a local church is fired after doing great injury to the organist, Andreas moves to the area to take over the parish. Staying in a hotel until his predecessor can be wrested from the rectory, Andreas

R, 1 hr. 52 min.

Drama, Romance, Art House & International, Comedy

Lone Scherfig

Oct 15, 2002

$4.4M

Miramax Films

Cast

All Critics (95) | Top Critics (30) | Fresh (73) | Rotten (10) | DVD (12)

Scherfig, who has had a successful career in TV, tackles more than she can handle.

November 6, 2002 Full Review Source: Minneapolis Star Tribune | Comment
Minneapolis Star Tribune
Top Critic IconTop Critic

An engaging Danish movie that rises from the ashes of loneliness and despair to spread feelings of happiness across the screen.

August 9, 2002 Comment
Denver Rocky Mountain News
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A rarity: a humane picture about modern romance among believable adults.

July 20, 2002 Full Review Source: Chicago Tribune | Comment
Chicago Tribune
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[Scherfig] has made a movie that will leave you wondering about the characters' lives after the clever credits roll.

March 28, 2002 Comment
Orlando Sentinel
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The combination of lightness and strictness in this instance gives Italian for Beginners an amiable aimlessness that keeps it from seeming predictably formulaic.

March 13, 2002 Full Review Source: New York Observer | Comment
New York Observer
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An unadorned and simple work that is one of the most purely pleasurable movies in ages.

March 8, 2002 Full Review Source: Sacramento Bee | Comment
Sacramento Bee
Top Critic IconTop Critic

a lightweight story about matchmaking, the characters make it worth the journey.

June 24, 2011 Full Review Source: Old School Reviews | Comment

Romantic, often comic but certainly for grownups.

December 24, 2010 Full Review Source: Common Sense Media | Comment
Common Sense Media

A rare delight ... a joyous comedy that is at the same time grounded in real life with characters whose company is a pleasure.

September 21, 2007 Comment
Looking Closer

All the more involving for its lack of obvious manipulation.

October 15, 2003 Full Review Source: About.com | Comment
About.com

An incredibly low-rent Danish film, it brings a group of people together in a sweet and charming way, if a little convenient

December 18, 2002 Full Review | Comment

This is a fine ensemble cast.

October 21, 2002 Full Review Source: San Diego Metropolitan | Comment
San Diego Metropolitan

Give Italian a try!

October 20, 2002 Full Review Source: KBTV-NBC (Beaumont, TX) | Comment
KBTV-NBC (Beaumont, TX)
More Critic Reviews

Audience Reviews for Italiensk for Begyndere (Italian for Beginners)

A Danish film from 2001 billed as a "romantic comedy", Italian for Beginners is not really a comedy at all, but a nice introspective look into our hearts and minds, where all are looking for something and find it through and because of community. Filmed in single camera style, this has that low budget indie look to

November 7, 2010
maxthesax
paul sandberg

Super Reviewer

Sweet movie with some implausible, yet tolerable, coincidences. My first Dogme film and now I'm certainly more curious about the movement.

January 24, 2009
aliceinpunderland

Super Reviewer

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Foreign Titles

  • Italian for Beginners (DE)
  • Italian For Beginners (UK)
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