Review: Tillsammans 99

Tillsammans 99 is the sequel to 2000’s Tillsammans. The original film was set in 1975, and this installment revisits the characters 24 years later. Göran (Gustaf Hammarsten) and Klasse (Shanti Roney) are now the sole residents of the commune, maintaining a semblance of community through weekly meetings and planning sessions. On Göran’s birthday, Klasse surprises him by inviting all the former commune members for a reunion, potentially sparking a new chapter in their lives.

Director and screenwriter Lukas Moodysson returns to filmmaking after a ten-year hiatus since 2013’s Vi är Bäst, during which he created the TV series Gösta. Surprisingly, Tillsammans 99 emerged with little prior publicity, marking a sequel to what many consider Moodysson’s finest work.

Tillsammans excelled in its performances and adeptly balanced humor and pathos. The film possessed a genuine warmth, and the scene featuring Michael Nyqvist’s (1960-2017) character, Rolf, losing his wallet in a restaurant, remains a standout moment in Swedish cinema. Consequently, expectations for Tillsammans 99 were considerable.

Unfortunately, these expectations were largely unmet. Tillsammans 99 feels like a retread of the original, but lacking its predecessor’s warmth. The characters exhibit minimal development over the intervening 24 years, resulting in a sense of tired repetition rather than insightful progression. Due to the passing of Michael Nyqvist, his character Rolf is absent. Ola Rapace is replaced by Jonas Karlsson in the role of Lasse, with unconfirmed reasons circulating for the casting change.

At just under two hours, Tillsammans 99 feels protracted, primarily due to the stagnation of its characters. Their arcs remain largely unchanged both within the film and across the decades between the two films. A potentially compelling scene between Klasse and Lasse involving a loom ultimately leads nowhere, simply revisiting a conversation from the past. The introduction of the mysterious guest, Peter (David Dencik), fails to generate significant tension, and Gösta’s continued inertia adds little to the narrative.

Presumably, Moodysson intends to portray the characters’ reluctance or inability to evolve beyond their established comfort zones. However, this thematic focus translates to a lack of engagement and eventual boredom for the viewer.

Tillsammans 99 is available exclusively on Blu-ray, presenting a stable picture that complements the film’s documentary-like aesthetic. The audio track is presented in 5.1 DTS-HD, which is more than adequate for this style of film. Dialogue is clear and centered, although some may perceive it as slightly mumbled at times; this is attributable to the recording itself rather than any sound design issues.

The Blu-ray lacks any supplemental materials, which is regrettable. Insight into Moodysson’s vision and behind-the-scenes content would have been a valuable addition.

In conclusion, Tillsammans 99 proved to be a disappointment. While the film exhibits considerable potential and the cast delivers commendable performances, the script and direction ultimately fall short of their mark.

SF Studios provided a review copy for evaluation. The provision of materials does not influence our editorial independence. Our reviews are conducted with the interests of our readers and consumers as our primary focus.