Nominated for Best Foreign Language film in 2003, Swedish director Mikael Hafstrom's 1950s-set Evil follows Erik (Andreas Wilson), a teenager who is abused by his stepfather, leading Erik to direct his own anger toward his classmates. After his mother manages to scrape together the funds to send him to an upscale boarding school, Erik ends up facing new hardships from both the upper classmen and an administration that condones violence as long as it is practiced by the sons of the wealthy against those of the lower economic classes. Unfortunately, Evil's narrative arc is painfully obvious, making this a bit of an endurance test to watch. It also doesn't help that the blonde and buff Wilson was clearly cast for his appearance rather than his acting—he's very photogenic but incapable of essaying the multitude of emotions boiling up within his character. Not recommended. [Note: DVD extras include the 24-minute “The Truth Behind Evil” making-of featurette, three deleted scenes (4 min.), and trailers. Bottom line: a small but solid extras package for a disappointing film.] (P. Hall)
Evil
Magnolia, 110 min., in Swedish w/English subtitles, R, DVD: $26.98, June 27 Volume 21, Issue 5
Evil
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