Telegrafisten

This is a rare happening in norwegian cinema. Here we have a beautifully crafted film with excellent acting that's miles ahead of the normal fare of norwegian movies from the eighties.

The movie is loosely adapted on one of Knut Hamsuns lighter novels, "Sværmere" ("Dreamers"), and it tells the story of telegraphist and hobby-inventor Ove Rolandsen during some flirtatious summer months. He is just about to do the invention of his life, but is constantly distracted by his female admirers and his need for money. Although this sounds like some easy going comedy, the pacing and directing makes the film more focused on characters and mood. In a way, it can be compared to the happier works of Ingmar Bergman.

The acting is kept stylized, to maintain the offbeat tone of Hamsuns archetypal characters. But while this device can be distancing, it has the opposite effect in this film; creating characters that are oddly lovable. Some of the most famous norwegian theatre actors give their best screen roles in this film, and I dare say they have never reached this level since.

The cinematography and music also deserves a mention. Everything unites and elevates this film into a very complete and elegant movie experience.

Highly recommended!

The other review shows what happens when literature is assigned in class.

I saw this film in a Hamsun retrospective at the Museum of Modern Art in New York, and in this context it seemed reasonable, charming, atmospheric and well-photographed. Maybe even delightful. And I've been to this part of Norway, and enjoyed that, too.

Sure glad no one forced me to watch this film in school. This way I really enjoyed it. I wish it were available on DVD in the US.

I loved the book (maybe it gains in translation....) and thought this a fair stab at transferring it to the screen. I imagine Hamsun is a tricky author to adapt. Gustavson does manage to capture some of the whimsy of the source material; however, Hamsun is not all sweetness and light, and I think the director finds it harder to tap into the darker side of some of the characters, Rolandsen especially. Good performances all round, though, and beautiful scenery (unless you're Scandinavian and bored with that sort of thing).

Set against the beautiful backdrop of northern Norway, this film tells the story of a telegraphist in a very small community at the turn of the century. Bjørn Floberg does an excellent job portraying the main character, looking like he's having a good time. The other actors are also very good. There is a lot of interesting personalities living in this very small township, where a factory producing fish-glue is the only major industry(!). The movie invokes a great feeling for the period, and the cinematography is beautiful. This is a very lyrical story.

A wonderful story by Knut Hamsun, set in a small coastal community in northern Norway.

The people are a bit rough, but among the hardship of every-day life and the pragmatism and cynicism of the powerful are the strong emotions and tender warmth of the not-so-powerful. And hopes and dreams. And surprises.

I feel sorry for the earlier reviewer who was forced to watch this movie in class. It's an important movie, and it is also very fun and quite full of energy and spirit, but anything can be a pain if you have to do it against your will. I would recommend trying this movie again when you are older and have the time. You will enjoy this movie once you start to appreciate the intricacies of adult life. That's a promise!