Alexandra Dahlstrom, Erica Carlson, Mathias Rust

15-year-old Elin lives in a boring Swedish town - 'fucking Amal' - and is looking for some excitement. Everyone expects her to find a boyfriend and be settled while still a teenager. Agnes is in love ...( read more  read more... )with Elin and though Elin first mocks her devotion, soon the two become an item. But Elin's big sister pushes her to go out with, and ultimately to sleep with, the more suitable Johan. Agnes feels betrayed and lets out rumours of Elin's behaviour. Soon, Elin must choose between convention and a more daring life.

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85% liked it

12,717 ratings

Critics

90% liked it

39 critics

Unrated, 1 hr. 29 min.

Directed by: Lukas Moodysson

Release Date: October 15, 1999

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DVD Release Date: October 3, 2000

Stats: 737 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (737)


  • October 1, 2009
    A very sweet youth love film. It came highly recommended but for me it?s nowhere near as good as the two films Moodysson followed it up with. The young actors are really good though and it can't help but make you feel good.
  • June 11, 2009
    Bittersweet coming-of-age film dealing with conformity and peer pressure. Has its share of flaws (especially the aesthetics and the minor characters) but it's too darn cute and endearing for me not to like it.
  • February 8, 2009
    High school films are an odd genre. Some are beautifully constructed masterpieces, and others are simply formulaic fodder for the teen crowd looking for something to do on a Saturday night. "Show Me Love", thankfully, is the former. But, what is especially unique and American abo...( read more)ut the film is it's charming crowd pleaser of an ending. "Show Me Love" was the highest grossing film in Sweden's history upon it's release (I don't know if that still holds or not), and it's a shame the American market hasn't taken the hint that mainstream audiences will easily stomach carefully constructed character dramas. The film is not perfect, but it's absolutely charming due to it's charismatic leads.

    Agnes (Rebecka Liljeberg) is a 16-year-old loner at a high school in Amal. Amal is a disastrous town for a teenager, with the newest trends being out of style before they even begin to reach Amal. Agnes has lived here for two and a half years now, and she's still yet to meet a friend. When her birthday comes along, her parents pressure her to hand out invitations to her classmates. For Agnes, this is an opportunity to get the attention of Elin (Alexandra Dahlstrom), the school's beauty whom Agnes has a crush on.

    On the night of the party, a set of circumstances leads Elin to Agnes' house as a last resort to get drunk. Eventually, Jessica (Erica Carlson), Elin's sister, dares Elin to kiss Agnes for $20. She does so, and Jessica and Elin run off laughing. Agnes sits on her bed crushed. She puts on some music and begins a half-hearted attempt at slitting her wrists when Elin returns to apologize. They adventure throughout the night, even contemplating a hitchhike to get out of the town, and, of course, fall in love.

    Elin, however, is not convinced she's a lesbian. And certainly not with Agnes - that'd be social suicide. She settles for Johan (Mathias Rust), a boy who has had a picture of her in his wallet for some time. The film is about Agnes' sureness and Elin's insecurity. And beyond that, it's a film about how difficult it is to be different in high school. There's a conversation at a party where Johan is asked whether or not he thinks like his friend. Johan sits quietly and shyly, unable to talk. He's the tragic hero of the film - a generally well-meaning kid who just doesn't have the confidence to let himself free.

    The film reminds me very much of "Water Lilies", which came out in 2007. Both films revolve around a high school lesbian couple of the loser and the popular girl. "Water Lilies" is a little more effective as "Show Me Love" loses some steam about halfway through, but both are incredibly astute and refreshing pictures. This is an uncommonly smart high school drama that is elevated enormously due to the magnetic presence of Alexandra Dahlstrom and especially Rebecka Liljeberg. It's a real treasure!
  • June 13, 2008
    Beats most of US made teenager movies by far.
  • May 28, 2008
    Amal is a Swedish city not a person. This is standard coming of age fare with a lesbian twist, no new ground (maybe in Sweden, I dunno), but the cast makes it delightful.

    The coolest chick in school, a female Fonzi, and the newcomer outcast, who is more intelligent and more mat...( read more)ure than most, proudly walk through the dumbstruck, titillated crowd in the end holding hands. They are both adorable, each in their own way, and you will be happy for them.
  • July 25, 2009



    No Joke I want to visit Fucking Amal too. Sounds very interesting Town in Sweden.

    Are they kiddin me they calling a Town FUCKING AMAL!
    So I wonder if you ask a Nun or a Priest or some "Brave Housewife" where do actually come from.

    I COME FROM FUCK

    ...( read more)ING AMAL?

    Oh thats Interesting, someone opened minded would answer.

    Please COME TO FUCKING AMAL and visit ME ;)

    Lmao. Pretty strange thing. Poor F.A Folks. lol
  • July 4, 2009
    Strong movie. It has got only one imperfection - the end. I don't believe in such "happy end". Girls in their age probably wouldn't act like that.
  • June 29, 2009
    çok tatli! tekrar tiyneycir olasim geldi bu filmi izleyince. son sahneler çok güzeldi özellikle.
  • June 3, 2009
    It started off quite boring but then it ended really worthwhile.
    It didn't turn out as bad as I'd thought at the beginning.
  • May 12, 2009
    the only lesbiean movie i love
    and yes i own it

Critic Reviews


January 1, 2000
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

The movie is funny, gentle, and true. full review

View more Show Me Love (Fucking Amal) reviews at RottenTomatoes.com

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