SOMETIMES, INSPIRATION IS WHERE YOU LEAST EXPECT IT…
World-famous conductor Daniel Daréus (Michael Nyqvist) suffers a breakdown and returns to the hamlet in northern Sweden where he was born; he soon becomes involved in a local choir, and is charmed by a supermarket teller (Frida Hallgren). The director’s first movie in 18 years was a tremendous hit, and the music and parts of the cast are excellent. However, it’s a simple story that takes forever to evolve (also very reminiscent of House of Angels (1992)), and the emotional manipulation becomes overbearing.
2004-Sweden-Denmark. 132 min. Color. Directed by Kay Pollak. Screenplay: Anders Nyberg, Ola Olsson, Carin Pollak, Kay Pollak, Margaretha Pollak. Cinematography: Harald Paalgard. Music: Stefan Nilsson. Song: ”Gabriellas sång” (Stefan Nilsson). Cast: Michael Nyqvist (Daniel Daréus), Frida Hallgren (Lena), Helen Sjöholm (Gabriella), Lennart Jähkel, Ingela Olsson, Niklas Falk… Per Morberg.
Trivia: Original title: Så som i himmelen. Later a stage musical. Followed by Heaven on Earth (2015).