Although Colin Nutley's 1998 film Under the Sun (Under Solen) drags at times and the ending is a bit rushed, this is more than compensated for by the brilliantly convincing performance of Rolf Lassgard, who squeezes out every ounce of the audience's empathy as shy, loveable Olof, a Swedish farmer in the 1950s. He has lived alone since the death of his mother and finally attempts to find love by placing an ad for a housekeeper in the newspaper. This ad brings him Ellen (Helena Bergstrom) who introduces the inexperienced Olof to the ways of love and sparks the jealousy of his young friend Erik (Johan Widerberg). The apprehension and innocence in Lassgard's face makes naive Olof's ultimate triumph in finding true love with Ellen (played with the perfect amount of subtle charm by Bergstrom) a reason for the audience to get up and cheer. This achievement makes Under the Sun a simple, elegant and ultimately satisfying little film.
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