Sommartider

I don't think I've ever witnessed such an unusual movie experience.

Having low expectations to begin with, I was pleasantly surprised that the overall production was so professional. It looked and sounded good.

But then there was something very wrong. It had a weird and unsettling tone, as if the filmmakers were either mocking us or totally unaware of what they were doing.

Biographical films are dime a dozen these dyas, and its contribution to the genre is unnoticeable. It follows every beat on the way, from presenting the nerdy underdog and his journey to fame and glory. AI meets wikipedia.

But that's not the strange aspect.

Instead, the film has such a naive and dreamlike, almost surreal tone that I was stunned. It evoked some absurd Davud Lynch imagery.

Its main protagonist, the leader singer is portrayed by a good looking newcomer whose appearance and haunting smirk gave me more a feeling of the serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer. I thought he might start killing of the band members or anybody else who might stop him, to moments later get back on the stage and sing some sweet pop tunes.

I have no idea what the filmmakers intentions were - but wow, that was a weird movie.

The story of Per Gessle, from the small Swedish town of Halmstad, who conquered the Swedish pop scene with his band Gyllene Tider in the early 1980s before going on to conquer the world with his second band, Roxette, is certainly worthy of the biopic treatment. And the fact that writer/director Per Simonsson seems to have been somewhat inspired by the tone of the brilliant 2022 TV series Clark is by no means to the film's detriment - you immediately get the sense that you're in for a "Joyride", as the film propels forward "Tuff tuff tuff (som ett lokomotiv)". Gyllene Tider emerged as a melody-driven band at the tail end of the punk era, and although their No. 1 hit "Sommartider" may have outstayed its welcome by now, their second album, "Moderna Tider", remains a fine example of early new wave, thanks to Gessle's remarkable talent as a songsmith. What Sommartider does best is represent the band's music with just the right amount of admiration. However, the film has one fundamental flaw: Valdemar Wahlbeck is completely miscast in the lead role as Gessle. His demeanour and energy are nothing like Gessle's and don't do the musician justice. You feel as though you're watching a very mannered, but ultimately inauthentic performance. This also affects Simonsson's recreation of the time period, which is well captured on a surface level, but lacks the wide-eyed naïveté of the era.

I don't know what film makers were thinking. For most teenagers and young adults Gyllene Tider is something their parents and perhaps even grand parents listen to. They probably know "Sommartider" since it is a super hit being played every summer on swedish radio since release. Also kids today barely know what a band is. So the whole experience of starting a band is probably a different and perhaps exciting plot for gen z. Making a teen movie about this band makes me wonder which audience they aimed to please. Still, this is a great teen feel good movie. I watched it with my teen son and he was captivated and liked it. I liked it too. It's fun, fast paced and great music and the text in the opening credits clearly states that some parts are pure fiction. Perfect for watching with your family. Maybe not for middle aged fans expecting a traditional biography.

Det är en bra ungdomsfilm! Sluta gnäll alla medelålders.

Thank you for bringing me back to the good old days, with real cars, no smartphones and most importantly - real music.

Yes, I grew up in the 80s, actually only 5 years younger than the Gyllene Tider crew, and witnessed first hand the joy that the extras acted out in the concert scenes.

This is a well written movie depicting the real struggle musicians had to endure to get noticed back in the day

Both the new and the seasoned actors were all great with some comic relief every now and then, making this a real feelgood experience - with all the greatest hits from the time period

Both I and my wife loved it - so again - thank you for bringing a smile to our faces.

Im describing the main charactor, "PG", Per Gessle/Waldemar Wahlbeck. Wonder if his main direction were "keep smiling no matter what"... Lance Hedman Graaf "acted" like a paper-figure, too bad. Pheonix Parnevik and Ville Löfgren was OK, but the character that tood out of the bands actors were Kulas Xawier, playing Göran Fritzon, the least known guy in the band, on keyboard. That says a lot on the movie.

The atmosphere feels wierd, beeing placed in Sweden and all. The plot covers a lot of things the audience dont know anything about, for instance Per Gessle´s dads condition.

Whats is good about the movie? A lot of music for sure. Gyllene Tider (translated to english, Golden times) is/was a great band with high-quality musicians on all positions. Many of the members good producers too. For Gyllene Tider-fans, check this out, but do not have any risen expectations regarding the acting.