We Are the Best!

'WE ARE THE BEST!': Four Stars (Out of Five)

Swedish-Danish drama flick about three teenage girls, that decide to form a punk band together; in 1982 Stockholm. It stars a cast of mostly unknowns; including Mira Barkhammar, Mira Grosin and Liv LeMoyne (as the three leads). It was written and directed by Lukas Moodysson and it's based on the 2008 graphic novel 'Never Goodnight'; by Coco Moodysson (the director's wife). The film received mostly rave reviews and it's appeared on many American critics' 2014 Top 10 lists. I found it to be inspiring and beautifully natural.

Bobo (Barkhammar) and Klara (Grosin) are two 13-year-old girls, growing up in 1982 Stockholm. They're outsiders at their school, due to their androgynous appearance and love for punk rock music; which many consider a 'dead art form'. They decide to form a band, despite not knowing how to play any instruments, as a way of rebelling against popular culture. Later they enlist a Christian girl named Hedvig (LeMoyne), from their school, to help them learn how to play chords and sing songs. Hedvig plays classical guitar, very well, and she's also a social outcast. The three girls form a beautiful team.

The movie is very impressive; in how it captures youth so realistically. The dialogue is really believable; and the three lead performances are super natural. If I didn't know any better, I would have totally believed it was a documentary (almost). The directing is completely fitting to the material and the story is beautifully inspiring. What a great movie for all kids, of almost any age, to see. Especially social outsiders and those that love punk music. The soundtrack is also totally awesome! I highly recommend it; to kids and adults alike.

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I can't recall the last time I saw such an awesome movie about punk rock.

There's nothing like being a preteen like Bobo, who comes from a single parent home and dislikes her parents and takes comfort by getting into punk rock. What makes her situation better is finding a rebellious preteen like Klara who has similar interest in punk rock and disliking her parents (who are actually really cool but understandingly embarrassing from a 12 year old's point of view.) And when the two "weird kids" in school find each other, they find the best way to express their uniqueness in Stockholm 1982...by starting a punk rock band.

They didn't own their own instruments or even know how to play anything, and no matter what the boys who thought their Motorhead rip off band, Iron fist said about them they got the job done, and kept punk alive when it was "dying". Adding to their mixed a talented guitar player in Hedvig, they tell the tale of possibly every great band's origin.

What I love most about the movie is the binding friendship of the girls. Like when bass player and vocals Klara had a problem with Guitar player, Hedvig's Christian upbringing or when drummer Bobo and Klara are face with a "Bros before hos" situation. They stand together, even when everyone thinks they suck, they stand together. A lesson most bands should take into consideration.

This movie kicks-ass on some many levels. It's for everyone who loves the spirit of punk rock. We are the Best!!!

It's been a while since i saw a Moodysson film. You forget just how effortless he makes film-making seem, but then you only have to watch almost any other movie with actors these ages to realise what a feat this is. If anything, the actors here are too young for their characters (unsusual!) - there was a scene near the end where the two leads are fighting that was hard to take seriously, and more seriously, the actress playing Bobo looked a little lost here as well!

It lacks the depth or profundity of some of his earlier work, such as Show Me Love. That was 16 years ago, i remember it so clearly! Will I be thinking about this one for days after? i don't think so. Does Moodysson not make darker films any more? That's a shame, but for what this is, a light comedy suitable for all, plus a gentle homage to Sweden in the early 80s, it succeeds brilliantly. He's a little bit like the American John Hughes at showing a child's POV without being patronising, but unlike Hughes also without painting the adults in two dimensions.

I'm hoping he'll make more films like this, maybe a bit longer and less afraid of upsetting the audience (that doesn't mean they all have to be like Lilya 4-ever either,there's a balance somewhere!). I'm being picky because i'm a fan - highly recommended and needs wider exposure like all of his films.

Ive watched two of Lukas Moodysson other works (Tillsammans and Show me love)

I enjoyed them (Show me love abit more then Tillsammans) I like Moodyssons way of making film, exploring the coming out of age genre, which he's really good at making films with that theme and that he is enlightening important subjects of lives different periods.

"Vi är bäst" is focusing of the different political movements under the 80s in Sweden. It focuses alot of the freedom movement about sexuality, friendships and breaking norms in society and being yourself. A very modern, innovative, very good, deep, funny and thought provoking film.

Its very well put together. And very well made!

It's guided by a very well written script that fits the age of the actors, which makes the film feel very authentic and real. Aswell the acting is very good! Filming aswell! Cinematography is great! Its very well made giving the right atmosphere to the 80s.

Moodysson manages to capture those climps on the rollercoaster of emotions, actions and consequences throughout life and growing up.

I really recommend it!

First off, I was a muffle school "punk" in 1982, so I couldn't resist catching a screening of We Are the Best at the Jeonju Film Festival (Korea). My previous experience with Swedish films has been limited, and resulted in spells of sleep (the scenes of Swedish TV in this film were reminiscent!).

The young actresses were amazing! Real, infectious. . . brilliant! The story-telling and script were first-rate. The filming fit the material perfectly. I could appreciate this both as a 40- something adult now and as a compatriot of the main characters from that time period-- even if I experienced adolescence half a world away.

It's a feel-good film, and serious issues are framed in the most palatable way-- but the movie makes no pretensions and it it was it is, and that is a first-rate film, great for all ages, that has everyone leaving with a smile!