A Man Called Ove

Name: A Man Called Ove
Genre: Drama, Comedy
Released: September 30, 2016
Duration: 116 min
Rating: 70

2016

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 21 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 96 Ratings

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7.3

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7.3	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 96 Ratings

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A Man Called Ove

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Movie Details & Credits

Music Box Films | Release Date: September 30, 2016 | PG-13

Summary: Stepping from the pages of Fredrik Backman’s international best selling novel, Ove is the quintessential angry old man next door. An isolated retiree with strict principles and a short fuse, who spends his days enforcing block association rules that only he cares about, and visiting his wife’s grave, Ove has given up on life. Enter aStepping from the pages of Fredrik Backman’s international best selling novel, Ove is the quintessential angry old man next door. An isolated retiree with strict principles and a short fuse, who spends his days enforcing block association rules that only he cares about, and visiting his wife’s grave, Ove has given up on life. Enter a boisterous young family next door who accidentally flattens Ove’s mailbox while moving in and earning his special brand of ire. Yet from this inauspicious beginning an unlikely friendship forms and we come to understand Ove’s past happiness and heartbreaks.… Expand

Director: Hannes Holm

Genre(s): Drama, Comedy

Rating: PG-13

Runtime: 116 min

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Critic Reviews

RogerEbert.com Odie Henderson

Sep 30, 2016

All movies are manipulative by default; the effectiveness of that manipulation is the more valid measurement to inspect. On that scale, A Man Called Ove is a morbidly funny and moving success. Read full review

Bill Goodykoontz

Oct 13, 2016

We’ve seen crusty old geezers with hearts of gold plenty of times in films. Here we see how this one got that way, and thanks to Lassgard and Holm, it’s a journey we care about taking. Read full review

Matthew Anderson

Jun 27, 2017

As well as ruminating on grief and the impalpable, incomprehensible sense of loss in the wake of a lifelong love, A Man Called Ove gives credence to the notion that there is much more to any individual than merely a name, that outer appearance and behaviour belie an unknown past. Read full review

John Hartl

Sep 29, 2016

A Man Called Ove has some tear-jerking moments, but the film is so carefully designed — with long, circular takes that seem to surround the main characters at crucial fateful points — that technique often triumphs over sentimentality. Read full review

Nick Schager

Sep 28, 2016

A Man Called Ove — preaching tolerant togetherness as the key to happiness — earns its sentimentality by striking a delicate balance between barking-mad comedy and syrupy melodrama. Read full review

Steve Davis

Nov 2, 2016

The last ten minutes or so are heartwarming to the point of schmaltz. Even the adept Lassgård, as the old fogey version of Ove, can’t make this increasingly feel-good schtick stick. Read full review

Glenn Kenny

Sep 29, 2016

Good-hearted stuff, to be sure, but mainly of interest to lovers of cinematic comfort food. Read full review

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User Reviews

ScarlettMi

Nov 24, 2016

I've got no expectations that anyone else needs to give this movie a 10/10 rating. It's a bit schmaltzy and predictable in the way it tugs at the viewers heartstrings, but it worked on me.

I knew nothing about what this movie would be when I decided to catch it at a recent film festival.I've got no expectations that anyone else needs to give this movie a 10/10 rating. It's a bit schmaltzy and predictable in the way it tugs at the viewers heartstrings, but it worked on me.

I knew nothing about what this movie would be when I decided to catch it at a recent film festival. Perhaps that's part of why it got to me so much. I was blindsided by how funny and sad it was. I was constantly crying or laughing or both.

In this instance, I can't help but judge it based on how it affected me as a viewer. It was an emotional movie-going experience and I really loved it.… Expand

3 of 3 users found this helpful30

MCS33

Oct 8, 2016

It was a boring Saturday and I was ready for subtitles...This movie could not have been any sweeter. Everyone was laughing except when they were blubbering. Predictable somewhat, but poignant and lovely also. I would go and see it again with more kleenex. You appreciate how the movie windsIt was a boring Saturday and I was ready for subtitles...This movie could not have been any sweeter. Everyone was laughing except when they were blubbering. Predictable somewhat, but poignant and lovely also. I would go and see it again with more kleenex. You appreciate how the movie winds back and forth in Ove's life. He seems like an old curmudgeon until you are allowed to witness his grief. Lovely to watch and submerse myself in on a hot afternoon. Go see it if you can.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

mstivers

Sep 14, 2020

From the very beginning, you can see that the grumpy old man will turn out to have a heart of gold. But his very particular backstory, and some comedy that goes some pretty dark places, raise it above the Hallmark level. But you definitely will cry!

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

royalguy07

Sep 11, 2022

Really enjoyed this start to finish, thought some of the flashback sequences really dragged the movie slightly. Wonderful leading performance.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Supermoviefan

Nov 2, 2016

What a touching, well-acted, quietly entertaining movie "A Man Called Ove" is. I felt like I was taken back to another time when art movie houses offered wonderful Ingmar Bergman films. "One" offers a refreshing look at what both seniors and new immigrants have to deal with today. TheWhat a touching, well-acted, quietly entertaining movie "A Man Called Ove" is. I felt like I was taken back to another time when art movie houses offered wonderful Ingmar Bergman films. "One" offers a refreshing look at what both seniors and new immigrants have to deal with today. The setting is Sweden, but it could be anywhere. You start off not liking the old man, Ove, but then as he slowly recovers from his wife's death, his humanity starts to show through. The film is done with taste and surprising good humor, but with all the predictable warts of everyday life.… Expand

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

Brent_Marchant

Nov 10, 2016

This quirky, bittersweet Swedish comedy takes some time to find traction and waxes more than a little melodramatic at times. However, its clever storytelling, fine performances and offbeat humor make up for some of its formulaic shortcomings. A touching, fun-filled matinee offering for sure.

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

TVJerry

Oct 31, 2016

Ove is the title character from Frederik Backman’s novel. He's a typically grumpy old man who rigidly enforces his housing community's rules and continuously reminisces about his deceased wife. There are also flashbacks to formative moments from his youth and a few neighbors who manage toOve is the title character from Frederik Backman’s novel. He's a typically grumpy old man who rigidly enforces his housing community's rules and continuously reminisces about his deceased wife. There are also flashbacks to formative moments from his youth and a few neighbors who manage to work their way into his heart. Yes, it's one of those films. The scenario and the character are about as original as the title (meaning not very), but it's well directed, nicely acted and sweetly told.… Expand

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

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