Längtan till havet Review: A Salty, Sad 1931 Classic

Is it worth the watch?

If you are the type of person who likes watching old, grainy movies where people talk with their hands and stare intensely at the floor, then yes. You will probably find this 1931 Swedish flick pretty charming in a sad way.

But if you need fast cuts or high-definition explosions, you are going to absolutely hate this. It moves about as fast as a boat stuck in low tide.

I think anyone who has ever felt trapped in their hometown will find something to like here. It's basically the original 'should I stay or should I go' story, just with more wool sweaters and sailors.

The Vibe of the Bar

Most of the movie happens in this bar in Marseille. It’s funny because even though it’s a Swedish production, they are trying so hard to be French.

The sets feel a little bit like a high school play, but in a way that makes it feel cozy. You can almost smell the stale beer and the salty air coming off the docks.

John W. Brunius plays the dad, Cesar, and he is unbelievably loud. He doesn't just talk; he bellows everything like he's trying to be heard across the actual ocean.

There is this one scene where they are all sitting around playing cards. It goes on for a long time, and honestly, I loved it.

It’s just four guys cheating at cards and making fun of each other. It felt more real than most of the big emotional scenes.

You can tell they were actually having fun filming that part. It reminded me a bit of the atmosphere in Beach Nuts, just with less slapstick and more grumpy old men.

Marius and His Problem

Nils Jacobsson plays Marius, and he has this very specific 1930s acting style. He spends a lot of time leaning against doorframes and looking miserable.

He loves Fanny, but he also loves the idea of boats. Like, he really, really likes boats.

Every time a ship's horn blows, he looks like he’s having a physical reaction. It’s a bit dramatic, but we’ve all been there when we just want to quit our jobs and leave.

The way he treats Fanny is kind of frustrating to watch. He’s so wrapped up in his own head that he barely notices she’s right there.

It’s not a 'nice' romance. It’s messy and feels a bit unfair to the girl.

Fanny’s Eyes

Inga Tidblad is the standout here as Fanny. She has these huge, expressive eyes that seem to take up half her face.

She does a lot of the heavy lifting emotionally. While Marius is brooding, she’s actually dealing with the consequences of his choices.

There is a shot of her watching a ship leave that actually made me feel a bit tight in the chest. It’s silent, and the camera just stays on her face for way too long, but it works.

It’s a lot more grounded than some of the stuff you see in Sealed Lips. In those older films, things can get too theatrical, but she keeps it human.

"The sea is a cruel mistress, but at least she doesn't ask you to work in a bar all day." — A note I scribbled while Marius was staring at the water.

The Technical Stuff (Or Lack Thereof)

The sound is... well, it's 1931. There is a constant hiss in the background like someone is frying bacon in the next room.

Sometimes the actors have to stand really close to the hidden microphones, so they look a bit stiff. It makes the conversations feel a little bit like a hostage situation sometimes.

The lighting is actually pretty decent, though. There are some nice shadows in the back of the bar that make it look moody and dark.

I noticed one extra in the background of a street scene who was just staring directly at the camera. It’s these little mistakes that make these old movies feel more alive to me.

It’s not as polished as something like A Man's Past, but it has more heart. It feels like a group of people trying to figure out how to make a 'talkie' for the first time.

Random Observations

• The hats in this movie are excellent. Everyone has a very specific hat for their personality.
• The way they pour drinks is so careful, it's like they're handling liquid gold.
• Marius has a very distracting mustache that seems to change shape slightly between scenes.
• The ending is... abrupt. It just kind of stops.

I think the reason this movie stuck with me is because it doesn't try to give you a happy answer. It’s just about people making choices that they know are going to hurt.

It’s a bit of a bummer, honestly. But it’s a good bummer.

If you've got a rainy afternoon and some patience, give it a shot. Just don't expect a lot of action or a cheerful ending.

It's just a story about a guy, a girl, and a very loud dad in a bar. ⚓️