The Year I Started Masturbating

No pun intended - the international title is telling is what the main character is discovering ...on her journey or whatever you want to call it. Of course the movie is more than that .. and don't expect it to be .. well if you are looking to be ... satisfied on a erotic front ... you probably should watch something completely different. Just saying - otherwise you'd be disappointed.

More or less like the main character is at the beginning. You can plan things, but you can never know all the things that may hit you. Life is a ... well you know what. So ... enjoy while you can - maybe not during working hours of course. On the other hand, that would enlighten many ... and give a new spin and ramp up the temperature and all that ... all kidding aside, the movie has some issues with the pacing and the mood it tries to convey ... but it is quite nice ... also has an interesting message ... and a good one.

This movie script must have been written by some of the laziest... something, anything... but not writers. Besides the usual feminism BS that is flooding the screen nowadays (with the usual bumbling idiots, aka man) there is so very little that makes any sense in this movie. There's no structure, no actual progress, just feelings and life changing advices received by what a seems a successful women from another one she accidentally met, some extremely reliable person that is passing thru life hopping from meaningless job to another (bar keeper, dogs walker, some sort of a fitness instructor and the sort).

This is an absolutely terrible picture. The characters are just so unkind and repugnant they made me sick, throughout. I am not sure if this is supposed to be a comedy or a drama- but it is actually neither.. It is poorly scripted. It is poorly acted. It is poorly filmed and poorly Directed. It really has no redeeming qualities, although the lead actress is somewhat sympathetic; however, she is mostly pathetic. As my exposure to Swedish films is limited to some classics, I don't know if this is typical, or atypical; however, I would not rush to see another one anytime soon. This seemed twice as long as it actually was.

Ultimately, the film is a slow downward spiral until the third act's climax and tone shift. For what it lacks in originality, and the stereotypical tropes of female empowerment and middle age crisis it repetitively falls into, it makes up for with some lighthearted humor. I would caution to say it's an interesting character study, as much of the narrative is too predictable. This film is perhaps slightly more polished and mature than your typical Romcom is, though likely just as satiable for that target audience. There is little to like in this movie, which is why I would recommend to skip it.

Contrary to some other reviews, I found this movie hilarious and uplifting. Masturbation does feature, obviously, and it's up to the viewer to decide whether to take it literally or metaphorically - either way, it works. We follow the main character through what should be the most depressing period of her life, during which time circumstance forces her into the company of people she'd never have ordinarily met, all of whom enrich her life, while at the same time she re-evaluates her existing relationships from a new perspective. They say when you hit rock-bottom, the only way is up, and she rises like an surprised Phoenix from the ashes. If you do take my advice and watch this lovely movie - watch the credits to the very end.