The Cake General, written and directed by Filip Hammar and Fredrik Wikingsson - 8.4 out of 10

The Cake General, written and directed by Filip Hammar and Fredrik Wikingsson
8.4 out of 10


Although this is mostly a light comedy without high aspirations, it is nevertheless somewhat profound at times.

Yes, the hero of the story, aka The Cake General is mostly a clownish, almost Trumpian figure.
However, his relentless pursuit of the record, the grit, courage ultimately, resilience, imagination that he proves are admirable and nearly make him a role model on some coordinates.
 
Mikael Persbrandt is excellent as Hans Pettersson aka Hasse P.
In his past, he is used to try and sell some funny skates, in front of the local supermarket, where the police would pick him, watched by a small crowd of serious Swedes.

They live in what one television program has labeled:

The most boring town in Sweden 

Nonetheless, there is an interesting scorched woman who is a champion at sun bathing, unaware at that time presumably of the dangers of exaggerated exposure to the sun rays.
This takes place in 1984, in Koping.

Another local has a Polish name and he can burp for a whole minute.
While a younger man has the habit of jumping from a trampoline on...his belly, into the pool.

His stomach is rather blue or violet as a consequence.
This town lives in the shadow of another, who is bigger and thus attracts the envy of the people from Koping.

IKEA has a store here,but this very small town has won the undesirable title of being the only place where the famous company has ever closed shop.
Hesse P. Decides to change this gloomy image, of the most boring place in the country.

He wants to make the biggest sandwich cake ever.
Guinness Book would confirm the record.

Anyway, it will be a daunting task, for in the beginning he does not sell the tickets which should cover the cost of the enterprise.
His reputation is disastrous.

Nonetheless, with conviction, dedication, hope, some creativity, humor, the big cake is about to be made.

If not spectacular, The Cake General is watchable and amusing.