Watch Together

Together is a Swedish movie released in 2000, directed by Lukas Moodysson. Set in a commune in Stockholm during the 1970s, the film explores the everyday lives of the members of this unconventional family as they navigate through their relationships, ideals and beliefs. The movie begins by introducing us to the central character, Elisabeth (Lisa Lindgren), who leaves her abusive husband and moves in with her brother Goran (Gustav Hammarsten) in the commune. There, she finds herself surrounded by a group of like-minded individuals who have renounced mainstream society in favor of communal living.

At first, Elisabeth struggles to adapt to the new environment, with its shared spaces, limited privacy and lack of modern amenities. On top of that, the commune is going through a rough patch - tensions are running high, and the members are divided on various issues, ranging from child-rearing practices to political beliefs. However, as she begins to bond with her new family, Elisabeth finds herself drawn to their sense of community, generosity and mutual support.

The other members of the commune are a diverse group of individuals, each with their own quirks and personalities. There's Goran, who is a self-proclaimed communist and a bit of a womanizer. His partner, Lena (Anja Lundqvist), is a feminist who is passionate about women's rights and sexual liberation. Lars (Gustaf Hammarsten) is an openly gay photographer who is struggling with his romantic feelings for Goran. Eva (Emma Samuelsson), the young daughter of two other members, is a precocious child who is often caught in the middle of the adults' arguments.

As the movie progresses, we see the various conflicts and issues that arise within the commune. For instance, one of the members, Rolf, is a violent and abusive man who terrorizes his wife and children. The other members struggle with how to confront his behavior, and there are heated debates about whether to resort to violence or to try and reason with him. Similarly, the question of how to raise the children in the commune becomes a contentious issue, with some members advocating for a free-spirited, hands-off approach, while others believe in more structured education and discipline.

Despite these conflicts, the members of the commune are ultimately bound by a shared sense of community and solidarity. They band together to support Elisabeth when she needs help, celebrate Eva's birthday with a raucous party, and come together to mourn when one of their own passes away unexpectedly.

Throughout the film, music is an important motif, with many scenes set to the sounds of popular songs from the era. Music serves as a unifying force for the characters, bringing them together in moments of joy and celebration.

One of the strengths of Together is its ability to balance humor and pathos. The movie is at times laugh-out-loud funny, with sharp dialogue and physical humor that showcases the comedic talents of the cast. At the same time, the film tackles serious issues such as domestic violence, infidelity, and political oppression, with a sensitivity and compassion that never feels heavy-handed.

The performances in the movie are uniformly excellent, with Lisa Lindgren giving a standout turn as Elisabeth. Lindgren captures the character's journey from fear and uncertainty to confidence and self-assuredness with authenticity and grace. Michael Nyqvist, who plays Rolf, is also remarkable, managing to imbue the character with a sense of complexity that makes his actions all the more chilling.

In conclusion, Together is a poignant and entertaining movie that offers a nuanced exploration of the joys and challenges of communal living. With its talented cast, clever script, and deft direction, the film manages to capture the spirit of a bygone era while still feeling relevant and timely.

Together is a 2000 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 46 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.4 and a MetaScore of 84.