Movie Review: Monica Z

Monica Z
Starring: Edda Magnason, Kjell Bergqvist, Sverrir Gudnason
Director: Per Fly
Stellanova Film, Svensk Filmindustri, Sweden, 2013

Monica Zetterlund (1937-2005) was one of the most popular Swedish singers and also an actress. In the 60s jazz singer Monica (Edda Magnason) gets an offer to sing in New York with Tom Flanagan's band. Because of the concert she can't spend the Christmas with her daughter Eva-Lena. The concert is a disaster because the audience does not like a white woman singing with black band.

First concert in America

Monica with her mother and daughter

Her father and workmates are discouraging. Becoming disillusioned she decides to quit singing. Her friend Marika (Vera Vitali) however invites her on tour. Poet Beppe Wolgers (Johannes Wanselow) begins to write song texts for Monica. Monica falls in love with movie director Vilgot Sjöman (Oskar Thunberg) much to fellow musician Sture's (Sverrir Gudnason) disappointment.

Sture and Monica

Monica meets Vilgot

Monica's ambition comes from the will to get recognition and to show to her father who discouraged her. Monica's career goes little by little from small jazz clubs to larger concerts but a setback comes from the Eurovision song contest 1963. Combined with setbacks in personal life this leads to alcoholism before the final breakthrough.

Finally a breakthrough

The movie focuses much on the personal life of Monica. It is said that the movie gives too negative picture of Monica's father. However it is also highlighted that Monica was one of the first who began to sing jazz in Swedish. Edda Magnason sings well and sounds much like Monica Zetterberg.

Rating: Good