Featured Audience Ratings

• Jim H

  
  Cast off by his ailing mother, a boy comes of age. Reminiscent of the masterful <i>400 Blows</i>, this Swedish coming-of-age drama is remarkably compelling. The conflicts between Ingemar and his brother, Ingemar and his peers, and Ingemar and the fate that leaves him… More
  Cast off by his ailing mother, a boy comes of age. Reminiscent of the masterful <i>400 Blows</i>, this Swedish coming-of-age drama is remarkably compelling. The conflicts between Ingemar and his brother, Ingemar and his peers, and Ingemar and the fate that leaves him feeling unwanted and unloved walk the fine line between accessible and subtle. These plots work on every level, but what is more is Lasse Hallstrom's direction. Visual metaphors like the cart stuck in the middle of the road and the children covered in shit but innocently laughing at the ride convey the film's bittersweet mood and advance the theme. And what is this theme? That life is filled with unanswerable questions and misfortune, but sometimes we can still enjoy the ride. I thought the exposition lasted longer than it should, and it took the film a long time to get Ingemar into any compelling conflict. Overall, this is a very strong art film and another example of how great Swedish cinema, the home of Bergman, is.

• Pierluigi P

  
  Childhood is the happiest time of our lives simply because we still ignore what is wrong with the world and the people living in it. This film shows the moment when a kid begins to suffer at being beaten by tragedy (the loss of his mother and his dog) and disorientation (sexuality),… More
  Childhood is the happiest time of our lives simply because we still ignore what is wrong with the world and the people living in it. This film shows the moment when a kid begins to suffer at being beaten by tragedy (the loss of his mother and his dog) and disorientation (sexuality), but realizes is the time of shaping his own identity and character to endure.

• Daniel J D

  
  Well, you definitely don't see these types of films coming out of American filmmakers, probably because in America, you couldn't likely get away with some of the things they get away with in this film. The repetition of the initial scene throughout the movie gets a little… More
  Well, you definitely don't see these types of films coming out of American filmmakers, probably because in America, you couldn't likely get away with some of the things they get away with in this film. The repetition of the initial scene throughout the movie gets a little repetitive, but other than that, excellent acting, a believable plot, and like I said, something you just wouldn't see in America (unless you rented the DVD).

• Cynthia S

  
  A touching portrayal of a young boys personal grief, and understanding of loss and change in his life. Through his personal transformation he finds a certain happiness, and many friendships, in his new life. Heartbreaking yet reassuring that there are good people out there in the… More
  A touching portrayal of a young boys personal grief, and understanding of loss and change in his life. Through his personal transformation he finds a certain happiness, and many friendships, in his new life. Heartbreaking yet reassuring that there are good people out there in the world.

• Randy T

  
  After his mother becomes seriously ill, young Ingemar is sent to live with his eccentric uncle in a distant but exceptionally warm-hearted community of oddballs, misfits and daydreamers. Heart wrenching and yet heart warming. A delightful, delightful film. (Yes, I know, I said it… More
  After his mother becomes seriously ill, young Ingemar is sent to live with his eccentric uncle in a distant but exceptionally warm-hearted community of oddballs, misfits and daydreamers. Heart wrenching and yet heart warming. A delightful, delightful film. (Yes, I know, I said it twice.)

• Leigh R

  
  Brilliant!

• Anthony L

  
  A very touching story of a confused young boy growing up in the 50's. It certainly lived up to the hype, I was convinced I wouldn't like it due to not being much of a Lasse Hallstrom fan. Shame his recent films aren't this good!

• Cindy I

  
  A well-done enjoyable film about a boy who goes to live with his aunt and uncle during his mother's ultimately terminal illness. Doesn't sound enjoyable and indeed has some down moments. But there are an equal if not more moments of sweetness and laughs. Note in particular… More
  A well-done enjoyable film about a boy who goes to live with his aunt and uncle during his mother's ultimately terminal illness. Doesn't sound enjoyable and indeed has some down moments. But there are an equal if not more moments of sweetness and laughs. Note in particular the boy, Ingemar's, internal conversations about people less fortunate than himself, and especially his uncle's hilarious description of how sausage is made (Hint: It involves a moose, a badger and a two-man tent). Moving coming of age story appropriate for the whole family.

• Tom E

  
  Another Precious Ingmar movie --

• Gordon A

  
  Touching portrayal of a brave boy and his struggles growing up with a host of wacky characters. Just about stays the right side of whimsical.

• John B

  
  Absolutely loved it. Long known to me as a break through film for Hallstrom, this movie came through with all the anticipated charm.

• Chris B

  
  A coming of age story with plenty of drama and real life scenarios but also one that has just enough humor in the right places to make it enjoyable. While the story itself is more true to life and not so perfect, that is what makes the film so wonderful and touching. The… More
  A coming of age story with plenty of drama and real life scenarios but also one that has just enough humor in the right places to make it enjoyable. While the story itself is more true to life and not so perfect, that is what makes the film so wonderful and touching. The performances are amazing, especially that of Anton Glanzelius who gives a complex and amazingly real performance as a growing boy who is losing his mother, his lone provider and hero, and must learn to cope with it. He has an uncle who loves him very much who steps in and is the reason we are given hope and a sense of peace throughout and at the end of My Life as a Dog. Highly Recommended!

• Quinto W

  
  It is very rare to find a movie that portrays a child as richly developed as 'My Life as Dog' does it, and protagonist Anton Glanzelius is a wonder at articulating his character's struggle with subtle expressions. A film that could've stumbled into easy schmaltz… More
  It is very rare to find a movie that portrays a child as richly developed as 'My Life as Dog' does it, and protagonist Anton Glanzelius is a wonder at articulating his character's struggle with subtle expressions. A film that could've stumbled into easy schmaltz and over-the-topness instead brings a focus and tone to it that recalls real life as seen through young eyes.

• Donna D

  
  I watched this years ago, but I remember it was a great movie! One of my favorite foreign movies. :) A must see. I have to rewatch this again!

• Richard F

  
  A pioneering Swedish gem that was way ahead of its time.

• Robert F

  
  Cute, and a little sad. I was really tired when I watched it, so I'm sure I nodded off during a few scenes. But on the whole, while it didn't really interest me, and I wouldn't watch it more than once, it was one of the better foreign films I've seen lately.

• Wu C

  
  Another great foreign coming of age tale.

Read all 17 featured audience ratings