Under The Sun

This Swedish import includes some passionate grunting during sex amid a summer rainstorm in a profusely leaking barn but is mostly a melancholy, moving, lyrical story about trust and the uncertainties of love and friendship. Nine years after his mother dies, large, illiterate 40-year-old gentle virgin Olof (portrayed by Rolf Lassgard, a sort of Scandinavian John Goodman) runs an ad in a newspaper: “Lonely farmer. 39 years old. Own car. Seeks young woman as housekeeper.” Leggy, curvy blonde Ellen (Helena Bergstrom) arrives, makes the clothesline a lot more provocative to Olof’s suspicious young friend and Elvis disciple Erik (a pompadoured Johan Widerberg reeking of smoothie attitude) and slowly begins to manage Olof’s daily affairs. The acting is excellent and Irish musician Paddy Maloney of the fabulous Chieftains provides a soothing, soulful soundtrack. Based on H.E. Bates’ The Little Farm and directed with a firm handle on nagging intrigue by Colin Nutley (House of Angels).