Jan Guillou's very self-biographical book Ondskan has finally got its first attempt at a book-to-screen adaptation. Both tell the story of Erik Ponti, who grows up with an abusive stepfather and a passive and withdrawn mother, and how this troubled teenager spends the last terms of high school in a boarding school. This boarding school, with a very traditional past, uses ill-treatment and violence as a form of upbringing, given from older students to the younger in a form of hierarchy. The plot revolves around how Erik, much used of beating and taking beatings, tries to restrain from using it to fight off this evil order, which proves to be a lot harder than he thought.
The book is a greatly crafted piece, which is easy to pick up but also discusses very basic themes of evil and violence and what way we can prevent it from taking a hold in our society. Jan Guillou is famous for being the type of person who doesn't take crap from anyone, so to speak, which unfortunately doesn't show as well in the movie as in the book. There are some serious changes in the adaptation, some of which are understandable, though others change the whole approach of the story and the depth of the character. Erik has become a lot more passive and softer, and the violence he inflicts himself is only a part of what the book shows.
The casting of the movie is acceptable, though it could've been done better. Erik's parents play their roles perfectly and most of the teacher's at the school feel spot on. Andreas Wilson's acting, as the lead star, is however lacking, since he rarely show any type of genuine emotion.
What the movie did right, though, was bringing the time and place of the story to life. It feels like it's been filmed in the real location, even though the 50's feeling doesn't appear unless there are any classic cars on the street. They've succeeded in giving it a sort of timeless feel, which probably appeals to the younger, teenage audience better.
Overall, the movie works, but that's just it. It obviously gave new attention to the book, which in my opinion is much better.
Rating: 6/10
The book is a greatly crafted piece, which is easy to pick up but also discusses very basic themes of evil and violence and what way we can prevent it from taking a hold in our society. Jan Guillou is famous for being the type of person who doesn't take crap from anyone, so to speak, which unfortunately doesn't show as well in the movie as in the book. There are some serious changes in the adaptation, some of which are understandable, though others change the whole approach of the story and the depth of the character. Erik has become a lot more passive and softer, and the violence he inflicts himself is only a part of what the book shows.
The casting of the movie is acceptable, though it could've been done better. Erik's parents play their roles perfectly and most of the teacher's at the school feel spot on. Andreas Wilson's acting, as the lead star, is however lacking, since he rarely show any type of genuine emotion.
What the movie did right, though, was bringing the time and place of the story to life. It feels like it's been filmed in the real location, even though the 50's feeling doesn't appear unless there are any classic cars on the street. They've succeeded in giving it a sort of timeless feel, which probably appeals to the younger, teenage audience better.
Overall, the movie works, but that's just it. It obviously gave new attention to the book, which in my opinion is much better.
Rating: 6/10