Patrik, Age 1.5

This post is part of my movie-a-day challenge in which I will watch a film every day for 365 days. Today is Day 69. You can see all the posts for this challenge HERE. To see the original Movie-a-Day Challenge post, click HERE.

Unexpected Package: A Chat About “Patrik, Age 1.5” ❤️🇸🇪

Hey pals, gather ’round the virtual campfire for a story about adoption, unexpected package deals, and enough Swedish charm to melt even the iciest of winter hearts. I’m talkin’ about Ella Lemhagen’s 2008 gem, “Patrik, Age 1.5.” Buckle up, because this one’s a rollercoaster (not the scream-your-lungs-out kind, more like the cozy-feels-and-hot-cocoa type).

So, picture this: Göran and Sven, a picture-perfect gay couple in a picture-perfect Swedish suburb, are all set to adopt a bouncing baby boy. They’ve got the nursery painted sunshine yellow, the tiny onesies ironed, and hearts brimming with hopes bigger than IKEA meatballs. But plot twist, universe throws them a curveball in the form of Patrik, age 1.5. Except, oops, clerical error! Turns out, Patrik’s 15, a rough-around-the-edges homophobic teen with a swagger that could rival Zlatan Ibrahimović himself ⚽️. Cue the record scratch, the raised eyebrows, and the hilarious awkwardness that ensues. Talk about an “oops” moment! 😂

Gustaf Skarsgård (yes, Alexander Skarsgård’s brother!) and Torkel Petersson absolutely nail Göran and Sven’s rollercoaster of emotions. They go from giddy anticipation to “wait, hold up, that’s a teenager?!” with the kind of comedic timing that makes you snort milk out your nose (sorry, not sorry). And Tom Ljungman as Patrik? This kid steals the show, hands down. He’s gruff, vulnerable, and hides a heart of gold under all that teenage angst. You can’t help but root for him.

“Patrik, Age 1.5” isn’t just about adoption gone wrong (although, let’s be real, that premise alone is genius). It’s about the messy beauty of unexpected connections, the challenges of acceptance (both personal and societal), and the power of love to soften even the roughest edges. Did I cry? Maybe a little. But they were good tears, the kind that leave you feeling warm and fuzzy, like wrapping yourself in a giant cinnamon bun after a snow day ❄️.

Now, don’t get me wrong, this movie isn’t all sunshine and rainbows. It tackles some heavy themes, like homophobia and the struggles of the LGBTQ+ community. But it does so with such a light touch and heartwarming humor that you can’t help but feel uplifted.

One of my favorite things about this film is how it flips stereotypes on their head. You’ve got this tough, rebellious teen who slowly opens up to the idea of having two dads. And these dads? They’re not your typical cookie-cutter characters. They’re real, flawed, and just so darn lovable.

Random true fact, according to a study by the University of Gothenburg, Sweden has one of the highest rates of same-sex couple adoptions in the world. Pretty cool, right? Makes you wanna grab a fika (that’s Swedish coffee break, FYI) and celebrate all the different kinds of families that make the world go round.

So, yeah, if you’re looking for a movie that’s equal parts heartwarming, hilarious, and thought-provoking, “Patrik, Age 1.5” is your jam. It’ll make you laugh, it’ll make you think, and it’ll leave you with a smile bigger than a Viking’s beard. Just go with it, embrace the unexpected package deal, and prepare to be charmed by the power of love (and maybe pick up some Swedish vocabulary along the way, like “tack” for “thank you” ).

Catch you on the flip side!
Roger