"The subject of "Wives" is that of those who here consider themselves a subject-race: women. It is a Norwegian film that makes its points far more effectively on behalf of that downtrodden species - the film's suggestion, not mine - because it can afford to joke about its ideas.... And it also see that men, too, have their problems in the way society sees the martial state.
The story begins with a class reunion and ends with the feeling that it has also examined the union that binds and polarises both sexes. It curious mixture of frivolity and seriousness doesn't always work, but it is certainly the best hilm i have yet seen on the subject of Women's Lib.
The woman director, Anja Breien, had followed the progress of three girl-friends who, after the reunion, decided to go on a spree. They are delightfully differentiated and utterly likeable. Mie, whose clowning disguises her vulnerability; Katja hiding her identity behind pregnancies; Heidrun, the proletarian who is too easily swayed by emotion.....It is a caring film, not only about its characters but about people as people."
(Tom Hutchinson, Sunday Telegraph)

Elling has lived with his mother all his life. Mom is the practical one, while Elling ponders the more theoretical aspects of life. He spends his time in their apartment reading books and looking at the neighbours through the living room window. Elling doesn't seem to need to be around others like most people. That's why Elling is less than enthusiastic when his mother suddenly decides to take her son on a beach vacation to Spain. Reluctantly, Elling agrees. After all, a lady at her age needs a good man by her side. But what Elling refuses to realize is that Mom is not only old, but also sick. Very sick. On her last vacation she tries to get Elling to see that life is bigger than their living room.