A Somewhat Gentle Man

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Cast & Crew

Stellan Skarsgård
Ulrik

Bjørn Floberg
Rune Jensen

Gard B. Eidsvold
Rolf

Jorunn Kjellsby
Karen Margrethe

Bjørn Sundquist
Sven

Jon Øigarden
Kristian

Kjersti Holmen
Wenche

Julia Bache-Wiig
Silje

Aksel Hennie
Samí

Henrik Mestad
Kenny

Jan Gunnar Røise
Geir

Jannike Kruse
Merete

Hans Petter Moland
Director

Kim Fupz Aakeson
Screenwriter

Finn Gjerdrum
Producer

Stein B. Kvae
Producer

Erik Poppe
Executive Producer

Halfdan E
Original Music

Philip Øgaard
Cinematographer

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News & Interviews for A Somewhat Gentle Man

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Audience Reviews for A Somewhat Gentle Man

• Apr 29, 2012

  A recently released convict adjusts to life outside and the temptations to avenge his imprisonment. 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 <i>A Somewhat Gentle Man</i> entertaining and easy-to-watch. Its pace is slow, but its characters are ultimately interesting. Overall, I liked <i>A Somewhat Gentle Man</i> a little more than somewhat.
  Jim H Super Reviewer
• Apr 24, 2012

  Norwegian black comedy/drama at its best. Real characters. Pathetic at times. Funny at times. Rather slow moving, but done in the right way. This is one of those films that draws you in until the end. Well done...
  Cynthia S Super Reviewer
• Apr 12, 2012

  Pretty damn good movie overall. As with a lot of movies it drags a bit in the middle but it's got a solid story of a man trying to redeem himself and turn over a new leaf, great performance from Stellan and some very funny moments (with probably some of the funniest sex scenes I've ever seen). I'd recommend it, it's a very good movie with some flaws.
  Jesse O Super Reviewer
• Mar 25, 2012

  "A Somewhat Gentle Man" starts with Ulrik(Stellan Skarsgard), a man of little words, being released from prison after 12 years which he faces with no little reluctance. It is a little surprising considering he is quickly greeted by his old boss, Jensen(Bjorn Floberg), who sets him up with housing with Karen(Jorunn Kjellsby) where he is able to get a Polish channel on his old television.(This is also proof that there is simply no escaping 'Dancing with the Stars' but maybe he can tune in an Andrzej Wajda film.) And Ulrik is able to get a job quickly as an auto mechanic for Sven(Bjorn Sundquist) where Merete(Jannike Kruse) warns him to not even think of it. Well, maybe it has to do with Jensen telling him he has to repay his debts, starting with killing the witness who put him away. In general, I have a theory that films will not mention when a protagonist has committed a murder for fear of losing sympathy which "A Somewhat Gentle Man" disproves in its own offbeat, deadpan and often amusing way.(Admittedly, that woman getting rudely dropped in a dumpster was not funny in any way.) Much of that goes towards the movie's central theme of adjustment and accpetance for ex-cons. But some of the plotlines actually feel more like digressions. And even with a subtle change of tone, the movie is simply too long for its slight aspirations. That's even with the always welcome and charismatic presence of Stellan Skarsgard who is entirely credible as a middle-aged sex symbol.
  Walter M Super Reviewer