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4.4/10
Senior Film Conservator
A definitive 4.4/10 rating for a film that redefined the boundaries of cult cinema. Unga hjärtan remains a cornerstone of transgressive art.
If you have a soft spot for quiet, older dramas about the sheer friction of growing up, sure. It’s not exactly a thrill ride, and if you’re looking for something flashy, you’ll probably find it duller than a Sunday sermon. It feels a bit like watching The Old Dark House but without the spooky mansion or the fun, just the internal stuffy-ness of a family living room.
Marianne is sixteen. She is right in that middle space where her mother’s wishes feel like heavy wool sweaters she’s forced to wear in the heat. The confirmation ceremony is looming like a deadline she never signed up for.
There’s a specific look Vivi Nelson gives the camera sometimes. It’s not acting; it’s just pure, unadulterated annoyance. You know that look—the one where you’re physically present but your brain is already halfway out the door, planning an escape that doesn’t exist yet.
The pacing is… well, it’s deliberate. Maybe too deliberate? There were moments where I found myself staring at the wallpaper in the background, wondering if the production team had a hard time finding period-appropriate curtains. 🙄
It’s not as chaotic as Three Little Pigskins, obviously. Thank god for that. But sometimes it feels like it needs just a tiny bit of that energy to wake the scenes up.
The mother character? Wow. She is a masterclass in passive-aggressive hovering. You can almost see her measuring Marianne against a yardstick that nobody else can see. It reminded me of those awkward, stifling moments in The Hot Spot where you just want to shout at the screen for someone to breathe.
I liked the way the church scenes were framed. Everything is so stiff, so perfectly aligned. It highlights exactly why Marianne feels like a stray cat in a library. It’s all very proper, which makes her small acts of defiance feel strangely loud.
I don’t think this movie tries to be anything profound. It’s just a snapshot of a girl trying to find her own oxygen. Some scenes feel like they were cut just a few seconds too late, letting the silence get a little bit weird. Maybe that was the point? Or maybe they just forgot to edit. Who knows.
It’s a small, dusty, slightly frustrating watch. Just like being sixteen, really. If you’re in the mood for something that doesn't scream at you, give it a go. Just don't expect a fireworks display. 🕯️
IMDb 6
1935
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