Reviewers hail Joof's new film as a complete folk comedy

Danish critics are largely celebrating Hella Joof's latest film, 'Nøjsomheden,' with many hailing it as a thoroughly entertaining and well-crafted folk comedy. The film, which premiered in Danish cinemas on Thursday, is based on the 2022 novel of the same name by author Stine Askov.

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Wildly entertaining, a complete and spirited folk comedy, but also harmless.

The story centers on Mona, a young girl raised by a single mother in 'Nøjsomheden,' a socially vulnerable housing area in Helsingør. Mona, portrayed as a bookworm and played by Andrea Heick Gadeberg, secures a job in a bookstore and falls for Nikolaj, a literature student from a more privileged background.

Reviewers note that Joof, known for her distinct directorial style, moves away from the novel's strictly realistic tone. Instead, she amplifies the warmth and humor inherent in Askov's narrative. Information's reviewer, Lone Nikolajsen, described the adaptation as a folk comedy, noting its sentimental storyline, witty dialogue, and performances that lean towards exaggeration, which ultimately works due to the charisma of the lead actors, particularly Iben Hjejle.

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The film tells a drivingly sentimental story, its dialogue is witty, and the acting is closer to overacting than underacting. Which works, because the main forces (especially Iben Hjejle) are so charismatic.

Iben Hjejle has garnered significant praise for her role as Mona's Aunt Tut, with Film magazine Ekko awarding 'Nøjsomheden' five out of six stars. Critic Kristian Ditlev Jensen called Hjejle the film's major coup and expressed enthusiasm for the overall production, noting its blend of folk comedy with serious social and human themes. He highlighted Joof's signature style, incorporating 90s irony and mild gender and class satire, while also acknowledging deeper, more serious layers within the film.

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The film lies somewhere between folk comedy and a more serious treatment of social and human themes. It is wildly entertaining with its typical Joof-esque touches. There is 90s irony and mild gender and class satire - sometimes so disarming that it becomes conflict-averse - but at the same time, the film also offers far more serious layers.

However, not all reviews were as glowing. Mathilde Johanne Kristiansen from the cultural media outlet Soundvenue awarded the film three out of six stars. Kristiansen observed strong similarities between 'Nøjsomheden' and Joof's previous film, 'Meter i sekundet,' suggesting Joof is a fitting director for such material. Yet, she felt that the film's humor, gags, and exaggerated character types overshadowed the novel's more subtle portrayal of love and reality.

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But this time, the source material's funny, but also modest, depiction of love and reality drowns in gags, slogan lines, and oversaturated Brian types.