Review of A Somewhat Gentle Man (2010) by Jon-James H — 28 Apr 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 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.
This review of A Somewhat Gentle Man (2010) was written by Jon-James H on 28 Apr 2012.
A Somewhat Gentle Man has generally received positive reviews.
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