Mitt Liv som Hund (My Life as a Dog) (1985)
Average Rating: 7.9/10
Reviews Counted: 30
Fresh: 30 | Rotten: 0
No consensus yet.
Average Rating: N/A
Critic Reviews: 3
Fresh: 3 | Rotten: 0
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Average Rating: 4.1/5
User Ratings: 8,473
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Movie Info
In 1959 Sweden, young Ingemar (Anton Glanzelius) lives with his dying mother and his nasty older brother. He survives all of life's knocks by comparing himself to those who are worse off--such as Laika, the little Russian space dog who was rocketed to his death and had nothing to say in the matter. Ingemar begins to identify with Laika more and more as his mother's health deteriorates, at times dropping to all fours and baying at the moon. When his mother is advised to get some peace and quiet
Dec 12, 1985 Wide
Feb 23, 1999
Skouras Pictures
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Cast
-
Anton Glanzelius
Ingemar Johansson -
Anki Lidén
Ingemar's Mother -
Manfred Serner
Erik -
Melinda Kinnaman
Saga -
Tomas von Brömssen
Gunnar -
Ing-Marie Carlsson
Berit the Artist's Mode... -
Kicki Rundgren
Aunt Ulla -
Lennart Hjulström
Konstnaren The Sculptor -
Christina Carlwind
Mrs. Sandberg -
Ralph Carlsson
Harry -
Didrik Gustavsson
Mr. Arcidsson -
Vivi Johansson
Mrs. Arvidsson -
Jan-Philip Hollstrom
Manne -
Arnold Alfredsson
Manne's Grandfather -
Fritz Elofsson
Glassworks Master -
Per Ottosson
Tommy -
Johanna Udehn
Lilla Grodan -
Susanna Wetterholm
Karin -
Leif Erickson
Farbor Sandberg -
Viveca Dahlen
Woman in Laundry -
Klimpen
Sickan -
Magnus Rask
Fransson -
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All Critics (34) | Top Critics (6) | Fresh (34) | Rotten (0) | DVD (16)
A series of emotionally wrenching moments that made My Life as a Dog a transatlantic hit when it arrived in 1985.
Top CriticA lot of the movie is routine coming-of-age stuff.
Well-constructed crowd-pleaser.
One of the great films about childhood perception, My Life as a Dog and all its atmospheric beauty comes to Blu-ray thanks to the Criterion Collection.
Good coming-of-age movie for older kids.
The frequent collision of comedy and drama is breathtakingly real, and Anton Glanzelius is terrific as Ingemar, a smart 12 year old with a philosophical bent
One of the greatest and most sensitive films about children and the turbulence of childhood...
A good-natured coming-of-age pic from Sweden captured the hearts of many.
Touching, funny story of childhood in Sweden.
The gentlest direction that director Lasse Halstrom has ever demonstrated.
Audience Reviews for Mitt Liv som Hund (My Life as a Dog)
Super Reviewer
Super Reviewer
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- Ingemar Johansson: It's strange how I can't stop thinking about Laika. People shouldn't think so much. 'Time heals all wounds,' Mrs. Arvidsson says. Mrs. Arvidsson says some wise things. You have to try to forget.
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Foreign Titles
- Mein Leben als Hund (DE)
- My Life as a Dog (Mitt liv som hund) (UK)
Reminiscent of the masterful 400 Blows, this Swedish coming-of-age drama is remarkably compelling. The conflicts between Ingemar and his brother, Ingemar and his peers, and Ingemar and the fate that leaves him feeling unwanted and unloved walk the fine line between accessible and subtle. These plots work on every level, but what is more is Lasse Hallstrom's direction. Visual metaphors like the cart stuck in the middle of the road and the children covered in shit but innocently laughing at the ride convey the film's bittersweet mood and advance the theme. And what is this theme? That life is filled with unanswerable questions and misfortune, but sometimes we can still enjoy the ride.
I thought the exposition lasted longer than it should, and it took the film a long time to get Ingemar into any compelling conflict.
Overall, this is a very strong art film and another example of how great Swedish cinema, the home of Bergman, is.