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What's it about:
After a long and eventful life, Allan Karlsson ends up in a nursing home, believing it to be his last stop. The only problem is that he’s still in good health, and, in one day, he turns 100. A big celebration is in the works, but Allan really isn’t interested and decides to escape. He climbs out of the window in his slippers and embarks on a hilarious and entirely unexpected journey, involving, among other surprises, a suitcase stuffed with cash, some unpleasant criminals, a friendly hot dog vendor, and an elephant.
What we thought:
Many books have been adapted for the big screen, think Harry Potter, Hunger Games, etcetera etcetera, but in the majority of cases, the movie doesn’t do the book justice. And whenever I’ve read a book, and then go and see the movie, I always go with very low expectations to avoid disappointment when the film fails to convey the essence of the book. So, it is with much joy and happiness in my heart that I can say The Hundred-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared is not one that will disappoint.
In fact, this quirky adventure film, based on the novel by Swedish author Jonas Jonasson, manages to fit almost everything that happens in the book into just 114 minutes! I know, 114 minutes sounds very long, it is almost two hours, but if you have read the book, you will understand what an accomplishment it is to fit the film into just 114 minutes.
The film, like the book, follows Allan Karlsson (Robert Gustafsson), a man who is about to turn 100 years old but decides to skip his own party to rather go on an adventure. This adventure takes Allen to unexpected places. He finds a suitcase full of money which turns out to be drug money. Drug dealers then start to chase him as he sets off on an epic adventure, joined by people who he meets along the way.
All through his adventure, Allan reveals his life story through flashbacks, and boy, did he lead an interesting life! This adventure that Allan is on is almost nothing compared to the things he’s experienced in the past. Allan has always liked to blow things up, and this has resulted in him playing an important role in the key explosions of the Twentieth Century. He has also shared meals and drank with the likes of Franco, Stalin, Truman, Reagan and Gorbachev.
The actors in the film are really believable in their simplicity with Robert Gustafsson really standing out in his weird and wonderful portrayal of Allan.
The film’s whimsical humour, which borders on slapstick at times, will not be everyone’s cup of tea. But if you want to see a beautifully shot, quirky adventure film, or if you’ve read the book, then this is a must see.
