The Danish movie, Twist and Shout, turned out to be a better movie than I had expected, despite using tired themes of the similar coming-of-age movies.

The movie concentrates on the stories of two young friends, Erik and Bjørn. Bjørn is a flamboyant, outgoing kid with a passion for Rock N' Roll and Erik is his reserved, conservative friend. Both learn tough lessons about growing up, each in his own way.

For Bjørn, his experiences come from first love when he falls for a lovely young girl named Anna. And we see Bjørn's first love in a way that reminds us of our own experiences that we have had (or will have) towards someone. Says Bjørn, glowing to his friend Erik, "I have never felt this way about anyone before." Sadly, these experiences also lead to a tragedy which force the relationship apart. Bjørn's friend, Kirsten, a wealthy, but empty girl, takes advantage of Bjørn's vulnerability and somehow forces him into a situation so that Kirsten may delude herself that Bjørn will forget all about Anna and find comfort in this new relationship. Bjørn's lessons are of the impossibility of substituting one thing for another. It seems that the value of his first love will live on with him forever.

For Erik, his experiences involve his controlling father and a neglected and misunderstood mother. Erik is the shy, conservative kid that he is because of the strict upbringing by his father. Eventually, he comes to doubt his father's rules and loses respect for him as he draws closer to his mother.

From his father's stories, it seems that his mother entered some sort of state of schizophrenia, though he said they called it Post Natal Psychosis, and I suppose Erik feels that this is partly his own fault for being born. Embarrassed by his mother at first, he gradually draws closer to her and discovers that she is actually quite a lovable person in that way you find something you love about your mom. And he finds out that his mother starts to feel better, and appears much more vibrant, although Erik's father tries to stop their time together. Erik is forced to defy his father to save his mother.

Though it appears that the movie, simply judging by the title, is about two youth's experiences in the Rock N' Roll era, the music is only there as a condition of setting, but not as a drive of story. And though sad, it is still a wonderful film about growing up.

It was released at a small art house cinema in 1986 outside Boston. It played for months!

Great Danish coming of age story. Bjorn and Erik are good friends...but are torn apart by two girls. Bjorn falls in love with Anna and gets her pregnant. He is also pursued by aggressive rick Kirsten who will do ANYTHING to get him. Meanwhile Erik has to deal with his mentally-ill mother and cheating father.

DEFINITE SPOILERS!!!!! Not all of it makes sense--I heard if you know about Danish culture it would work better--but I loved it. Easily the best coming of age story ever made. For one thing all the actors were 16 or 17-the ages they were playing. And this doesn't shy away from touchy subject matter--it has nudity and sex (although the one scene is brief) and a graphic, harrowing abortion sequence. The acting is great too--the friendship between Erik and Bjorn comes through loud and clear. At one showing of this the audience applauded when Erik saves Bjorn from marrying Kristen. Also most of the actors--especially Bjorn and Anna--are very attractive.

This has disappeared completely since 1984. That's a shame because it's a wonderful film. Highly recommended if you can find it. A 10.

I'm puzzled by the reactions I've read about this film. People call it "cute," or "curious." They think of it as a period piece, or a quirky comment on European sensibilities that they don't understand.

Nonsense. I consider this film one of the top three films ever made, in company with "Paris, Texas" and "Blue Velvet." It has little to do with its translated title "Twist and Shout" -- this is merely a reference to its setting, in 1963, and the fact that the main characters try to emulate The Beatles in dress and manner, as did probably the entire generation in that era.

The "Twist and Shout" business pertains to the setting only. This film gives one of the most raw, uncompromising looks at powerful human emotions -- friendship, loyalty, obsession, first love, loss, and betrayal -- that have ever been committed to celluloid. Directly translated from Danish, the title reads "Trust, Hope, and Love" -- and that, as direct and ambitious as it sounds, is EXACTLY what this film is about.

As the summary indicates, the abortion scene with Bjorn and Anna is both gut- and heart-wrenching. Erik's devotion to his mentally disturbed mother, and final self-emancipation from his dictatorial father, is as poignant as any depiction of the trauma of growing into adulthood as I have seen. And the endurance of the friendship between Erik and Bjorn, despite all that should have driven them apart, gives this disturbing, troubling film a bittersweet note of redemption that will linger long after its concluding scene.

Maybe it helps to be able to understand Danish, or be a little familiar with the culture (I lived for a year in Denmark when I was twelve). Still, I'm convinced that this excellent film has long been underrated, and that its themes are compelling and universal. If you can get hold of it, I strongly urge giving this film your attention. 10 out of 10.