Lasse Hallström had a rather unusual path into the world of film. Albeit, being responsible for directing almost every ABBA video isn’t something to sniff at. Today, he’s famous for films such as Cider House Rules, Chocolat and What’s Eating Gilbert Grape. However, he cut his teeth in Swedish cinema. Hallström seems to have an affinity for our canine friends. His new film is called A Dog’s Purpose and he also made Hachi: A Dog’s Tale with Richard Gere. On the same theme, his best Swedish film is undoubtedly My Life as a Dog.
Ingemar (Anton Glanzelius) is a troubled and lonely 12-year-old boy who seems to attract trouble and rail against the world. Unbeknownst to Ingemar, his mother (Anki Lidén) is terminally ill. To give her some rest, he’s shipped-off to stay with his uncle (Tomas von Brömssen) in a small rural town. They bond immediately and Ingemar begins to settle-in to the community of oddball characters. He becomes friends with tomboy Saga (Melinda Kinnaman) and slowly begins to come to terms with his life.
My Life as a Dog is an extremely touching film about the trials and tribulations of growing up. The material (it’s based on Reidar Jonsson’s autobiography) is sensitively handled by Hallström. There’s a menagerie of interesting townsfolk, all with their own peculiarities and interesting stories to tell. The balance of comedy and drama is handled well and the young cast bring a vibrancy and naivety to the proceedings. My Life as a Dog is a sweet and charming coming-of-age story which will grab hold and never let go.
Special Edition Contents:
- High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) and Standard Definition DVD presentations, transferred from original film materials and approved by director Lasse Hallström
- Original 1.0 mono audio
- Optional English subtitles
- Come On Then! (Kom igen, nu’rå!), a 1981 TV film by Hallström about a 35-year-old footballer (played by Swedish pop star Robert Broberg) looking back over his life
- Original theatrical trailer
- Reversible sleeve with original and newly commissioned artwork by Candice Tripp
FIRST PRESSING ONLY: Booklet featuring new writing on the film by Peter Walsh
My Life as a Dog is released on Dual Format by Arrow Academy on Monday 8 May.
