Screwed in Tallinn

If you have some the least bit of shadenfreude in you, this movie will have you in stitches. The actors, screenwriters and the director should all be praised for their ability to turn something so horribly sad and pathetic as a sex/marriage trip for single men to Estonia to something this insanely funny.

You see the characters created fantastically by the experienced Killing gang and shudder; could this have been me? Will I ever end up like this? This passes quickly as someone says something screamingly funny or so cringe-worthy you can feel your skin crawl.

The plot moves perfectly, set to the wastes of mid-Sweden and the suburbs of Estonia. The characters, the buildup, the tension and the angst leads to an apocalyptic and hysterical finale that you will never forget.

Never, ever see this movie alone, single, dumped or depressed.

This movie is made by a famous group of Swedish comedians, whose trademark is a remarkable ability to spot the funny aspects of everyday life and turn into top notch comedy. Many of the actors are big stars in Sweden today, but I guess, totally unknown abroad.

The movie revolves around a group of men who have decided to join an arranged bus trip to the capitol of Estonia, Tallinn. Soul purpose of the trip – to find a female life companion.

The format of the movie is that of a documentary, but it's of course all made up.

In the beginning of the movie we get to know the different characters. My favourite character is Roland, the TOO nice guy who we all know. The one who is always getting the short end of the stick, simply because he is too good a guy. The expression "nice guys finish last" has never been more accurate.

We also get to know the arranger of the trip, wannabe entrepreneur Percy Nilegård and his trustworthy bus driver "Lasse Kongo".

This movie is extremely funny if you are into comedies that are flavoured with a bittersweet feeling. You laugh at the corny characters for all their faults, but at the same time you recognize certain parts of their behaviour in yourself. Depending on who you are, you will feel more for different characters.

Paldiski Palace – sounds like a nice retreat doesn't it. This is the final destination of the bus trip. Be warned – don't expect too much from this establishment.

My only worry is that perhaps the Swedish dry comedy does not suite an international audience. But my recommendation is that you give this one a shot.

Chances are this will be one of your top three comedies!!!!!

Torsk på Tallinn is a cinematic masterpiece from the beginning to the end. I've never seen such a good mix of comedy, documentary and tragedy as this film presents. Killinggänget have really done it with this film. Nearly every line in the movie is by now cult!

Note: A couple of months after I saw the film for the first time, I saw a true documentary about american men going to Estonia for the official purpose of finding a wife. It was Torsk på Tallinn on the spot!

One of the best mockumentaries ever, my favourite along with "This is Spinal Tap". The title is a word play, it can be read as something akin to "Addicted to Tallinn" but also as "Whoremonger/punter on Tallinn" (and the 'on' is not a grammar error made by me), the latter interpretation being a reference to the plot which involves a busload of Swedish men going to Tallinn to find women.

I don't know if it is available internationally with English subtitles but I do hope so, for everyone else. Some of the fun might be lost though since the characters are to some extent based on the social differences (and dialects) between people in different parts of Sweden. It's great to see the actors play different characters. Especially Robert Gustavsson who flawlessly acts such incredibly different characters.

Torsk på Tallinn is a real over-the-spindle feature documentary on the broad meaning of terms "searching for love" and "getting rid of loneliness". All this is crazy to watch, you will giggle, sneer and feel sorry... Acting is rigorous and realistic, rural types well depicted; apart from famous Swedish actors, there are some Estonian ones giving pleasant performances (Tõnu Kark and Merle Palmiste). Nevertheless, "only" 7 points from me as I am not too much into bluntly ridiculing people who behave in naturalistic manner not knowingly, but because of their upbringing and background. Before the global village developed by the Internet, it was practically impossible to bring forth high-minded and sophisticated values and manners.

PS Tallinn is shown very briefly in the film, the activities in Estonia take place in Paldiski, a former Soviet closed military town around 50 km from Tallinn, i.e. no suburb of it; thus, all those Swedish men were certainly not screwed in Tallinn :)