One of the most compelling biographies I’ve ever seen Becoming Astrid tells the story of Astrid Lindgrin who struggled as a teen and rose above those who would discourage her. Author of a series of children’s books called Pippi Longstocking, she was also awarded two Hans Christian Andersen Medals for her writing.
In a small town outside Vemmerby, Sweden teenage Astrid Ericsson (Alba August) works on the family farm planting potatoes, doing other chores and attending church with her family. One day her father Samuel (Magnus Krepper) mentions that the publisher of the Vemmerby Times, Reinhold Blomberg (Henrik Rafaelsen), needs an intern and has asked about her. Excited about writing for the publication, Reinhold hires her on the spot.
After a few months she has become very good at reporting the news and starts to see a future for herself. Reinhold, a married man, has become infatuated with the girl and he makes advances at the young 15-year-old. Wanting to accept his love, Astrid lets him have his way with her. It’s the beginning of an affair that changes both their lives.
Director and co-screenwriter Pernille Fischer Christensen uses her camera wisely as she shows the changes in Astrid as she blossoms into womanhood. She makes the story compelling and endearing introducing a twist to the relationship that finds Astrid moving to Stockholm to attend secretarial school. Although the biography only covers her teenage years, it does show how strong and willing Astrid was even though her adolescence was cut short by an improper judgement on both her family and Blomberg.
The performance by Alba August is special showing her coming of age, pubescent desires and then the will to abide by her mistake of which many women may have turned their back. Alba’s ability to make her character believable in the situations brought out in the film is a tribute to her acting skills. Under Christensen’s able direction sweetness becomes the word I found to represent Alba’s acting in the beginning, determination follows and then the arc gets completed with her realization that she must do the right thing and accept the life she made for herself.
BONUS MATERIAL:
“Learning from Astrid” a featurette with Alba August and Director Pernille Fischer Christensen, both talk about the role of Astrid and why the movie was made.
“Press Conference rom the Belinale Film Premiere” Pernille Fischer Christensen talks about how long it took to make and how it came about.
Photo Gallery
Becoming Astrid has not been rated by the MPAA, but contains nudity and sex. It is available on DVD and VOD.
FINAL ANALYSIS: An excellent film that really touches the heart and shows courage. (4 out of 5 Stars)
Specifications and additional video information:
Cast: Alba August, Trine Dyrholm, Maria Bonnevie, Björn Gustafsson, Magnus Krepper, Henrik Rafaelsen, Maria Fahl Vikander, Li Brådhe
Director: Pernille Fischer Christensen
Screenplay: Kim Fupz Aakeson and Pernille Fischer Christensen
MPAA Rating: Not Rated, contains sex, nudity
Genre: Biography, Drama
Running Time: 2 hrs. 3 min.
Video Release Date: March 19, 2019
Original Theatrical Release Date: September 14, 2018
Language: Swedish and Danish with English subtitles
Reviewed Format: DVD
Audio: Dolby Digital 5.1
Video: Widescreen Aspect Ratio 2.35:1
Subtitles: English
Number of Discs: 1 disc
Distributed by: Music Box Films
Released in: DVD, VOD
Writer, critic, film editor John Delia, Sr. has been on all sides of the movie business from publications to film making. He has worked as a film critic with ACED Magazine for more than 20 years and other publications for a total of 40 years. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of Florida. John is a member of the Southeastern Film Critics Association and Critics Association of Central Florida Send John a message at jdelia@acedmagazine.com
