40-year-old Elling, sensitive, would-be poet, is sent to live in a state institution when his mother, who has sheltered him his entire life, dies. There he meets Kjell Bjarne, a gentle giant and female-obsessed virgin, also in his 40s.
Acting
Ellefsen's trembling restraint vs. Nordin's puppy-dog openness—perfect friction.
Writing
Dialogue so awkward it loops back to profound. Norwegian humor at its finest.
Director
Petter Næss
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Per Christian Ellefsen originated the role on stage and played Elling for over 600 performances before the film. The tremor in his hands? Actually his own nervous energy, not acting.
Elling spawned two sequels in Norway, making it a rare foreign-language Oscar nominee that became a genuine franchise. The Norwegians really said 'give us more anxious men in apartments.'
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