Patrik, Age 1.5

I love the low-key quality of the film and the main character. As another reviewer wrote, the couple and Patrick are faced with numerous homophobic situations. Many aren't addressed simply because that's how life is as a gay man or woman.

Best gay film I've seen in a long while. Very little sex and language but rather, incredibly deep characters and struggles in relationships.

The main character, Goran, is spectacular. He is gentle and sincere while being incredibly strong in protecting his family. Amazing work. His partner, Sven, struggles with settling down, starting a family again (he has a 16 yr old daughter from his previous marriage), and living in a typical suburban neighborhood. The neighborhood dynamic is great. Each neighbor is really big on keeping their white picket fence front yards in amazing shape to outdo their neighbor. However, perfectly pruned front yards doesn't mean the family behind the door is doing as well.

Amazing film.

Patrik 1,5 – CATCH IT (B+) Patrick 1.5 is a Swedish movie about Goran and Sven have been cleared for adoption and they have a possibility to adopt a Swedish orphan, Patrik 1,5. But when Patrik arrives he turns out to be someone else, not the little boy they were expecting. A comma had been misplaced, and in comes a 15-year-old homophobic with a criminal past. Patrik 1.5 is hilarious and movie at the same times. it take cares the sensitive issue with humor and the whole family dimension makes this movie more endearing. Gustaf Skarsgård brother of Alexander Skarsgård & Torkel Petersson as couple are great. But I have to say Tom Ljungman steals the show with witty humor and hidden emotions underneath the callous attitude. I personally enjoyed the movie a lot, so if you're into a family dram with sarcastic humor. This one is for you. Loved it!

In a suburb in Sweden, the gay Dr. Göran (Gustaf Skarsgård) and his "husband", the executive Sven (Torkel Petersson) receive a letter informing that they will finally adopt an orphan – Patrik 1,5. They understand that Patrik is a one and half year-old baby and they prepare a room for the baby. However, there is a typo and Patrick (Tom Ljungman) is actually a fifteen year-old homophobic teenager with criminal record.

The gay couple assumes that there is a mistake, but it is Friday afternoon and they need to wait until Monday to contact the Social Service. Along the weekend, Sven has friction with the adolescent, but Göran befriends Patrik, who is an experienced gardener. Göran and Sven have an argument about Patrik and Sven leaves Göran.

When Göran learns that Patrik has been rejected by families for ten years, he decides to adopt Patrik. But now he is alone and the process of adoption is no longer valid and he needs to prepare a new application.

I am not a fan of films with the theme "gay couple", but Patrik 1.5 is a pleasant surprise. The story is funny, dramatic and romantic and the trio Gustaf Skarsgård, Torkel Petersson and Tom Ljungman is charismatic and shows a great chemistry. The director and writer Ella Lemhagen is very sensitive and never overexploits the gay relationship of Göran and Sven.

The prejudice of the neighbors of Göran and Sven is impressive considering the image of freedom in sex that the Swedish people have in my country. My vote is seven.

Title (Brazil): "Patrik 1.5"

The film is understated. Everything that happens is believable, nothing crazily exaggerated for the movies. The protagonist is half of a gay male couple. He is a doctor. He is quite sensitive. The world around him treats him quite badly, no matter how hard he tries to play fair and compassionately. His neighbours pretend to be liberal and accepting, while teaching their kids homophobia behind his back.

In one brilliant scene, he has to give a little girl a vaccination. She asks him if he is a "homo". He answers yes. Then she asks what it means. He explains he loves males rather than females. She asks him who in particular he loves. She has no prejudice at all. Her father bursts in and violently accuses him of being a paedophile. Nobody in the movie seems to understand the difference between gay and paedophile. Our protagonist sees it as pointless to try to set them straight.

Our protagonist is compassionate. He is able help others by seeing the world from their perspective, and by ignoring the rude or thoughtless things they say.

The boy is a brat, but not an outrageous brat. He comes around just from continuous gentle kindness.

.....guy....this Goran....this Gustaf Skarsgard....this standout performer.

Once you've seen this little film, you will realize it is this actor who is the heart and the soul of this story-with-a-twist. Here's a performer whose every thought is readable in his face.....whose every emotion makes its way across to us. And you know what is extra special about this? It's that no one can just "act" these things; these are things you have to "be"....within yourself. In other words, I think the Skarsgard we see on screen is the very same man off screen---and who of us wouldn't want a someone like that?

And if Skarsgard is all of that, then it is Tom Ljungman, as Patrik, who is the zest and the vitality of this movie....the one who makes it all gel. Wherever Sweden was able to come up with such an accomplished SIXTEEN year old is beyond me. The only thing left to say about this young man is, "Gustaf Skarsgard, you'd better watch out; someone is hard on your heels."

Oh, and I don't think any of us would kick a Torkel Petersson (Sven) out of....ahem...., either.

Postscript for The Wonderful Director (Underbar Direktör): Dear Ella Lemhagen....The ONLY thing this most satisfied movie viewer could think of to change in this exceptional film would be the Closing Credits and its "Crosscountry Run." Of course, you know the place I mean (new viewers will have to see it for themselves). A full of Urin + Vinegar Patrik (Age 1.5) would be in the "leading lane".....followed closely by Daddy Goran.....then Papa Sven.....and bringing up the rear, daughter Isabell (who can even keep Patrik on his toes).

****