Set mostly in the 1920's in Sweden, this partial biopic of Astrid Lindgren (nee Ericsson) focuses on her life from her mid-teens through her twenties. Showing potential as a writer and possessing a natural ability to spin stories to her siblings, Astrid's life is soon consumed though when she begins a relationship with her much older boss, has a teen pregnancy eventually giving birth to a son, and thus has to face the harsh realities of what that means in moralistic rural Sweden at that time.
Perhaps we'll get another film some day illustrating how Astrid went on to become one of the most acclaimed children's story writers in the 20th century, but although offering us up some hints with her undying love for her young son this isn't the film. I was reading that a 2017 survey found Lindgren's books, highlighted by her "The Adventures of Pippi Longstocking" series, would culminate in her selling 165 million books, translated into 95 languages, thus making her the 4th most translated author of children's books in history.
Overall, the pacing of the movie is most deliberate and some scenes can certainly pull on one's heartstrings, as we watch Astrid struggle but persevere in her determination to be with her son and overcome, as mentioned, the harsh realities of life and society of that time. But with August's superb acting supported by an effective and seasoned supporting cast, I thought the movie was certainly worth a watch for its powerful drama.
