In fact, as we learn throughout the story, he’s already lived many life adventures, meaning we get to spend time with current Allan and past Allan, with the story jumping between the two. The film casts Robert Gustafsson in the title role, and he captures the mischief and coincidence that lies at the centre of Karlsson’s story. At first glance, it’s a bit Forrest Gump, as we discover that Karlsson and his love of explosives brought him into contact with some major figures throughout history. Yet there seems something a bit sinister here, with hints – mainly unexplored – of someone less pleasant bubbling under the surface. Karlsson, as we learn through the film, is an intelligent man, yet it seems that we’re guided towards believing he did certain things just because he happened to be there. It never fully rings true. As a film, The 100 Year Old Man Who Climbed Out Of The Window And Disappeared – and if we were paid by the word, we’d be dropping the name of the film with alarming regularity – works best when it’s on lighter ground (although that does jar a little with some of the turns it takes), and Gustafsson elicits several good, solid laughs. His deadpan innocence is impressive. Credit too to director Felix Herngren – who also adapted the script, alongside Hans Ingemansson and Jonasson himself – for keeping things moving, and playing with the less predictable elements of the story. Follow our Twitter feed for faster news and bad jokes right here. And be our Facebook chum here.
