Together

Together is a Swedish comedy drama directed by Lukas Moodysson.

Made in 2000, the film looks in every way like it was made in 1975. In fact, at the start I found myself checking that I had the right DVD because initially it looks like it might be a terrible 70's B-movie.

But that's just a clever trick to draw you in and move the setting to a commune called Tillsammans (Swedish for Together). This is where everything kicks off. You quickly see that this isn't a glorification of the commune: the film isn't trying to make you feel bad about owning a car, or a TV, or for having a shower every day. Instead it pokes fun at the commune by simply highlighting why communes don't work; because people are ultimately selfish at some level.

There is also a great contrast between the commune and the people who live next door. They think they are so different (and presumably better) but of course they have exactly the same characteristics.

This is a comedy where you laugh somewhat nervously at your own faults, enacted by the characters in the film. Anyone who has ever shared a house with people who weren't members of your own family will recall squabbles like those in Together. It's great fun. You just know things are going to go wrong; which just makes it even more amusing when they do.

The soundtrack is great too; and I liked the uplifting conclusion. Nice!