The Final Journey tells the gorgeous and splendidly uplifting story of Swedish filmmaker Filip Hammar’s efforts to assist his beloved aged father discover his “spark” once more. The acclaimed documentary, additionally honored as Sweden’s entry for Greatest Worldwide Movie on the upcoming 97th Academy Awards, addresses growing old’s laborious truths with an endearing lens. It is troublesome to observe a father or mother surrender after a lifetime of vibrancy. Particularly after they had been a treasured supply of inspiration, studying, and pleasure to others. Filip’s mission would not go practically as deliberate, however does accomplish its major aim with heartwarming conviction.
Filip holds his father’s hand as he is strapped in for an MRI. 80-year-old Lars Hammar trembles with fragility. Later, on the household residence in Köping, Lars sits dejected in his favourite “Belgian armchair.” Filip and Tiina, his fit-as-a-fiddle mom, remark that Lars hasn’t left the home or completed something in practically a decade. A flashback video of Lars’ 2008 retirement social gathering after 40 years educating French on the native highschool exhibits a a lot totally different individual. Lars sings and dances as he is feted by expensive pals, colleagues, and college students. It is a far cry from the outdated man simply ready to die.
A Highway Journey to France
After 40 years as a beloved French instructor at Köping, Lars Hammar retires, however turns into passive and apathetic to the dismay of his household. Seeking to rekindle the spark in his life, his son Filip and his finest pal Fredrik load Lars right into a automotive to move on a street journey to France.
- Launch Date
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September 13, 2024
- Director
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Fredrik Wikingsson
, Filip Hammar - Runtime
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90 Minutes
- Forged
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Filip Hammar
, Fredrik Wikingsson - Distributor(s)
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Nordisk Movie
- A heat hug of a film with stunning surroundings and feelings.
- A candy story of a father and a son, and of the true challenges of growing old.
- A transferring ending that may deliver you to tears after many laughs alongside the best way.
- Some moments are needlessly staged and emotionally manipulative.
Filip enlists Fredrik Wikingsson, his finest pal and manufacturing associate, for a loopy thought. He’ll purchase an outdated orange Renault, and so they can recreate the street journey his household took to France as an adolescent. Fredrik dutifully guarantees to assist, however warns Filip that he could also be overburdening his father. Lars can barely stroll, has hassle listening to, and hasn’t expressed any curiosity in such a strenuous endeavor. Filip exhibits up at residence with the automotive. Lars, hilariously mendacity down in his bathrobe, is surprised when Tiina begins to pack his bag.
The Final Journey is not a fairy story fantasy the place a newly invigorated, raring-to-go Lars springs into motion to reclaim his misplaced youth. Let’s simply say that actuality hits like a freight prepare from the onset with an sudden improvement. The whole journey could also be doomed from the beginning. Filip’s enthusiasm and Lars’ bodily means aren’t commensurate. Even worse, the thoughts could be simply as frail because the physique. No matter hearth that had been initially stoked as motivation fizzles on the first bump within the street. Filip should persuade his father not to surrender and that he’ll remorse quitting on the first signal of hassle.
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It is essential to border Lars’ character and perspective on this context. He is fully conscious of what Filip, Fredrik, and his spouse try to perform. They push him with the perfect intentions, however pessimism is a steep hill to climb. Lars should need the journey as a lot as they do. Filip’s reply to motivating his father ahead is totally good. It exhibits his degree of care and willingness to go the additional mile. Lars acknowledges Filip’s dedication to his happiness and digs deep to interrupt out of his funk. There is a useful lesson discovered by each because the plot kicks into excessive gear.
The Final Journey’s second act might be a postcard for French tourism. The little orange Renault chugging at a blazing 40 mph via majestic mountain surroundings is breathtaking. Jaws will drop to the ground when the Hammars and Fredrik arrive on the idyllic Beaulieu-sur-Mer on the glowing Mediterranean Sea. Lars’ countenance adjustments dramatically as he takes within the panorama, tradition, and those that formed his youth. Optimism surges as father, son, and bestie attain their first aim with greater targets forward.
Lars Will get His Groove Again
Filip would not sugarcoat the extraordinary lengths taken to facilitate his father. Lars wants assist with just about each side of every day exercise. He should be cleaned, dressed, and helped to every earlier than stepping out the door. Even moving into the automotive is a job. Scenes of Filip and Fredrik discussing their duties are profound and trustworthy. It is robust to see the one who raised you from beginning be so helpless. Time stalks us all and is not mild ultimately. Filip step by step mitigates his expectations about what Lars can truly do. He evolves as a son to just accept that Lars’ limitations will solely worsen till the tip. That is why the journey needed to be taken now earlier than it grew to become too late.
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The Final Journey will get high marks for inventive cinematography and modifying. Filip and Fredrik, famend in Sweden for his or her discuss exhibits, selection packages, and podcasts, skillfully mix nostalgia into the narrative. Lars recorded audio diaries, residence motion pictures, and took numerous footage of the household holidays. These are built-in at poignant moments to extend emotional gravitas and occasional humor. You change into part of the household with their expensive recollections on show.
If It Ain’t Broke, Do not Repair It
Filip does go overboard by staging sure occasions and interactions for his father’s profit. These scenes delight the unwitting Lars however really feel form of low-cost and contrived. One particularly struck me as a bridge too far regardless of its success. A pure development to the story would have been simply as impactful to the viewers and Lars; as a substitute, the manipulation barely upsets the trustworthy great thing about the remainder. You need not recreate nice occasions to have the identical emotions within the current. That stated, the movie’s conclusion is an absolute winner. There will not be a dry eye within the theater when the credit roll.
The Final Journey, initially titled Den Sista Resan, has Swedish dialogue with English subtitles. A Nexiko manufacturing, it premieres subsequent within the US on January 4, 2025, on the Palm Springs Worldwide Movie Competition with nationwide distribution to observe.