The Swedish comedy The 100-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared is a rich mixture of absurdity and broad physical humor. As a geezer escapes from his nursing home and (slowly) embarks on an adventure, he see flashbacks to his earlier Zelig-like life. As the local police launch a half-hearted (or quarter-hearted) search for him, he happens into a criminal gang’s suitcase of cash and picks up a motley crew of confederates. There are two comedies here – the series of absurd coincidences that put him in the most salient moments of 20th Century history AND the guffaw-inducing chase story. Both comedic threads are satisfying and very funny.
Robert Gustafsson is effective playing the protagonist Allan from ages 18 through 100. I loved Iwar Wiklander as Allan’s partner-in-adventure Julius.
The 100-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared has also edged its way into a four-way tie for 12th place on my list of Longest Movie Titles. It’s a hoot.