I would love to show you a trailer here, but it’s a Norwegian film so the picture has a little more to say. Click it to watch instantly with Netflix or give the rest of the review a little browse.

“Elling” is about two patients from an institution who receive permission to take care of themselves in government housing. I think Elling’s mom has passed away recently which threw him into this new situation. Neither of the characters have any discernable disabilities, just social setbacks and difficulty with emotions which leads to a lot of challenges and a lot of growth.

Fortunately, “Elling” doesn’t allow any physical drama to occur. None of the characters lash out and attack anybody or themselves which made the film more pleasant than tense. Elling’s inner monologue is rather clever as well. He speaks as if the world around him has gone crazy, not him, and the dialogue is surprisingly self-aware.

[STATUS REPORT]

BROAD vs. NICHE - It’s a foreign film about people with learning disabilities… I would say this one is niche. I don’t need to say anything more.

WATCHABILITY - The thing about characters who function poorly in social situations or without precedent is that there is always something new around the corner. Simple tasks such as answering the phone or using a public restroom feel as overwhelming as Kilimanjaro. Very entertaining indeed.

WHEN TO WATCH - I enjoyed this film during the day. It’s all subtitles so it will require a bit of reading to keep up so I would suggest a time when you have a little patience and interest. I liked the film and I felt like it was never overwhelming, and the end has a feel good vibe. You can really watch this movie anytime, but it also may be the kind of film you end up watching alone, unless you have open minded niche audience friends.