It's 1982 and best friends Bobo (Barkhammar) and Klara (Grosin) don't fit in at school and so gravitate towards the drums and bass guitar in their community centre to air their gripes. The only thing is they can't play. Not that has stopped a punk before but someone who can put a few notes together could come in handy. They settle on the shy Hedvig (LeMoyne), she of the acoustic guitar, Christian songs and Aran sweaters. No matter – a quick rethink re her hair (and the whole God thing) and they're away...
This is a bit of a turnaround for Lukas Moodysson whose last film Mammuth was of the Babel ilk, that Inarritu/Arriga globalisation-themed drama. In adapting his wife's book, Moodysson opts for a theme of role reversal here, of kids who have no one to look up to but themselves. Moodysson opens the film at a rowdy fortieth birthday party for Bobo's mother (Anna Rydgren) as her unimpressed daughter looks on; wishing to go to bed, her mother begs and pleads with her to stay up like a child would a parent. Later, it's Bobo that consoles mum when another man walks out. Mira's father (David Dencik) whines like a baby about doing the laundry and walks around in his underpants.
It's the kids who are 'politically aware' while their folks lose themselves in wine bottles and relationships. While the kids have heart and the parents are emotionally dead, the girls don't have it their own way. Bobo and Klara retreat into a petty childhood spat when a cute guy from a rival punk band turns up and makes with the eyes.
The movie's got real heart and the humour occupies that middle ground of satire and genuine love; the translation of the lyrics are deliberately straight and naff and the band names garner giggles (Iron Fist, Incest Brother). The innocence of childhood will induce smiles too. 'Alcohol only kills brain cells when you mix drinks.' A sixteen-year-old tries to be cool by smoking a cigarette like a joint. Bless.
The performances are wonderful. The eye is drawn to Grosin because of her bouncy enthusiasm and mohawk, and to LeMoyne's guitar work, but it's Barkhammar that shines, the girl who is old before her time.