Name: Film Review: Together (Tilsammans, 2000)
Item: Together
Rating: 70
Author: @drax

(source: tmdb.org)

History on ocassions really repeats itself and this phenomenon can affect perception of certain films. What looked like a nostalgic comedy about long-lost and iretrievable past might after some time look like serious drama depicting present. Such phenomenon can, at least from today’s perspective, be observed in Together, 2000 Swedish film directed by Lukas Moodysson.

The plot begins in Stockholm in late 1975. News about death of Francisco Franco, right-wing dictator of Spain, brings joy to the members of Tilsammans (“Together”), Stockholm’s left-wing commune. The commune, built around collectivism and similar left-wing ideals, is unofficially led by Göran (played by Gustaf Hammarsten). Those ideals will be questioned thanks to Göran sister Elisabeth (played by Lisa Lindgren). Tired of being abused by her constantly drunk and violent husband Rolf (played by Michael Nyqvist) she leaves her apartment together with young daughter Eva (played by Emma Sammuelson) and son Stefan (played by Sam Kessel) and takes shelter in Göran’s commune. Elisabeth there has opportunity to meet number of interesting personalities and even more interesting ways to put left-wing theories in practice – ex-wife of one of the members decided to become lesbian strictly for political reasons; one of the children is named after Tet Offensive; Göran’s girlfriend practices open relationship only to satisfy her insatiable sexual appetite; one of the members favours reading Marxist literature over sex; parents bar their children from reading Pipi Longstocking over “burgeoisie ideology” etc. Life of all those people will begin to change when they realise that noble ideals alone aren’t enough to overcome human flaws, but love and a bit of common sense will help them deal with their problems.

Lukas Moodysson is a film author that doesn’t shy away from expressing his left-wing views, but those views weren’t enough to win him favour among traditionally leftist critics’ establishment. Moodysson did so by displaying directorial skill with his 1998 debut Show Me Love. His next film, partially inspired with Moodysson’s life experiences, is, despite its subject not too overtly political and depiction of lovingly dysfunctional left-wing commune is matched with depiction of commune’s traditionalist neighbours and family members. The biggest problem for film is lack of firm plot which also reflects in happy ending that seems a little bit forced. What deserves praise in Together is very good direction and even better work with actors who manage to quickly introduce eighteen very different characters to the audience. The most important feature of this film is, however, Moodysson’s humanism. The author takes slightly critical approach towards idealistic leftism, but he nevertheless shows understanding for young people whose noble ideals were above their practical abilities. Almost anyone in the film is shown to be worthy of respect, regardless of gender, age, sexual or political orientantion. The world would have been a much better place if enough people took inspiration from characters in Together instead of their hypocrytical “woke” counterparts of today. Moodysson directed a sequel Together 99 with reuinted original cast, released in 2023.

RATING: 7/10 (+++)