Movie Short Review: ‘Alive’

Review by David Ferguson

Greetings again from the darkness. Swedish filmmaker Jimmy Olsson follows up his excellent 2018 short film 2ND CLASS with another gem that cuts to the core of what it means to be human.

Ida (Madeleine Martin) is caregiver to wheelchair-bound Viktoria (Eva Johansson), who also has challenges with her speech. We learn quickly that Viktoria is very sharp and quite funny … and also extremely frustrated with her situation. After teasing Ida about her boyfriend Bjorn (Joel Odmann), director Olsson delivers a terrific sequence. We watch alternating shots displaying the contrast between Ida and Bjorn in bed, and Viktoria being put to bed by her evening caregiver. So much is relayed with these shots.

Ida agrees to help Viktoria create a Tinder profile, but once she has a match, Viktoria’s protective instincts kick in. The film excels are reminding us how we are each desperate to feel alive – something that no amount of therapy can replace. Another excellent outing from filmmaker Olsson.