Epic, Gorgeous ‘Everlasting Moments’ Lingers Like a Dusty Photograph

Printer-friendly versionE-mail page to friendPDF version

Rating: 4.5/5.0

CHICAGO – Jan Troell’s epic “Everlasting Moments,” a Golden Globe-nominee for Best Foreign Language Film of 2008 and Sweden’s entry in the same category for the Oscars (notoriously making “Let the Right One In” ineligible because of the stupid “one country, one movie” rule), is a haunting, beautiful movie about small, emotional movements set against a backdrop of national change.

The backdrop starts in 1907 Sweden, as political and social revolution fills the air. Maria Larsson (Maria Heiskanen) and Sigge Larsson (Mikael Persbrandt) are what could politely be called a troubled couple. Sigge can be charming and supportive when he’s sober, but that’s rare. He cheats regularly and even abuses his family but he also provides for his children in rough times.

Read Brian Tallerico’s full review of “Everlasting Moments” in our reviews section.

One of those children is Maja (Callin Ohrvall), who beautifully narrates “Everlasting Moments,” focusing on the artistic growth of her mother. She starts with a story of a Contessa camera, a prize that Maria wins and that leads to her marrying Sigge.

Years later, Maria finds the camera and takes it to a pawn shop. It’s here that she meets the opposite of Sigge, the artistic, gentle soul to his powerful physical presence, Sebastian Pedersen (Jesper Christensen). Sebastian instantly recognizes that Maria has a photographer’s eye and he encourages her to use it. The two clearly fall for each other, but this is early-century Sweden, so don’t expect your traditional love triangle despite the clear affection.

Continuing reading for Brian Tallerico’s full “Everlasting Moments” review.

Maria Heiskanen in Everlasting Moments.
Photo credit: IFC Films