The Simple-Minded Murderer (1982)

Such a frustrating disappointment

Most undeservingly overhyped movie of all time??

The film was still a fun one that will make you laugh and have you leaving the theater feeling like you just stole something valuable and got away with it.

The film may be flawed, but its message is not.

Two things...made me pursue this film and write about it. Stellan Skarsgard, young Stellan Skarsgard. The Title.Sven is poor, feeble minded young man, living with his mother in Swedish country making ends meat. Everyone regards him as village idiot and a fool, but what he can't show and verbally express (he's speaking with difficulty, mumbling words) he feels and in his mind vocalizes perfectly. This kind hearted fellow won't leave you cold if there's a shred of empathy left somewhere deep inside. His estranged sister whom he loves went away as young girl, and sickly mother soon dies. Sven is sent off to a cruel, wealthy landlord to sleep in a stable and do whatever crappy job is required of him, no fee, just food and lousy stable bench for bed.This is arty drama, which focuses on Sven's inner world and his life as opposed to cruelty of his "master" and the unjust world he lives in. However, he will meet some very nice people who kindly save him from humiliation and take him in. There he falls in love with the family's disabled daughter (I know, kind of an overkill there) and finally, the world looks like a good place for the first time to Sven.But, our unlucky protagonist was not meant for happiness, because things will go down for him and those around him pretty abruptly. This is not Swedish version of Forrest Gump, although it is sweeter and tad cornier than I'd hoped it would be. There is big social commentary, and no, not everyone will have equal rights and chance to fulfill their dream in this tale. Skarsgard is natural born actor, quite different here from his more mature and more popular roles, the body's thin and face lit, but crazy look in his eyes as a trademark is ever present. Marvelous actor.One distinct element that places Simple Minded Murderer into art film category are strange visions, righteous angels of light and vengeance whom Sven hallucinates about and are following him through some tough times and key moments.Beautiful film, gentle and mostly realistic with appropriate ending, which goes to show you can push the kind man only so far before he reaches his breaking point.

Den Enfaldige Mördaren deserves to be better known. It's a fabulous film directed by Hans Alfredson and stars Stellan Skarsgård in one of his most memorable performances as the hare-lipped young man Sven, who's considered retarded by his surroundings. He seeks consolation and spiritual strength in his faith and visions as his life becomes difficult and tormenting as a worker for the vicious local factory owner Höglund (played by Alfredson himself).Superbly played out in a slight retrospective manner, the film beholds a major heart. The emotional aspect is big as we witness Sven throughout the film; his childlike manners and his close relation to his guardian angels, the way he gets involved with the girl-next-door, and getting the opportunity to step up and being treated as an adult, receiving weekly salary and learning how to drive a motorcycle. It's a moving journey of a man who everyone around him seems to misunderstand and neglect. These bright and uplifting moments in the film works as a great counterbalance to the darkness it beholds, especially in the character of Höglund - he's first presented to us lurking into the stable where Sven sleeps among the animals, and he speaks violently and shows no affect for Sven, who's just lost his mother. Höglund treats Sven's sister as meat, shows no affection for his wife and kids, and uses gruesome actions to behold power in the local county.Den Enfaldige Mördaren is packed with symbolism and ideas, and it flows carelessly in place and time (we sense both the Middle Ages and something futuristic, and everything in between) and tells a tale a multi-layered tale, shuffling so many elements of humor, romance, spirituality, society's mangles, vengeance and adventure. It's a film that makes one enthusiastic about European cinema.

This is one of the best Swedish movies of all(which many agrees with) and Stellan Skarsgårds performance is really worth an Oscar, although i can't understand why some people call this a comedy. This is a sad drama about a gentle poor boy and an evil. Hans Alfrdsons script(based on his book) is solid and his direction great and he is also good as the evil man. This is a movie which a lot of people has seen in Sweden but almost no one outside of Sweden, which is sad because i think everyone in the world should take their time and see this wonderful movie which makes you cry and think. Watch out for Gösta Ekman as a driver.

The directing (by Hasse Alfredson) and the cinematography (by Rolf Lindström and Jörgen Persson) are excellent. During the whole movie the audience can hear the bittersweet tones of Verdi's Requiem. Not also the actors makes this movie to a masterpiece. Maria Johansson is brilliant as the lame girl. But the best performance of them all is made by Stellan Skarsgård as Sven - "The Idiot" (because of his harelip). Skarsgård's performance may be the best throughout the whole history of Swedish film.Sven and the other farmers over the countryside of Skåne, in southern Sweden, have to endure the mental torture from the factory owner in the district, The Evil Man, played by Hasse Alfredson himself. But after enough suffering, Sven gets enough and with the angels of vengeance he walks over the fields to kill The Evil Man, the factory owner. All this to the music of Verdi's Requiem. This scene may be one of the strongest ever throughout the FILM HISTORY. See this movie, but carefully, do not hesitate. If only the Lumiere brothers could have seen this...