Sometimes a Great Notion: A Mixed Bag of Courage and Chainsaws

Sometimes I wonder why some movies stick like kåldolmar in the head, and “Sometimes a Great Notion” is one of those jagged little pills. Directed by Paul Newman — yes, the salad dressing guy, but way more talented with a camera — this 1971 classic really wrestles with who we are when the chips are down, or more specifically, when the logs are up.

And speaking of logging, I still remember wandering through the dense Swedish forests as a kid, trying to chop wood with all the show-off antics of a lumberjack but ending up more like Emil i Lönneberga than anyone from the Stamper family. I quickly learned wielding an axe takes guts and precision!

The film stars heavyweights like Newman himself alongside the rugged Henry Fonda, and gosh, can they both fill the screen with more testosterone than a moose on a mating spree. Their chemistry is palpable, and you can’t help but feel the punch as their characters clash and then mend… sort of. It all feels real, dad’s stubbornness, and unyielding family ties — Swedish families take note, there’s a lesson or two.

Yet, even with all this, I’m on the fence. The film sometimes feels like it’s trying to chew more than it can swallow. Themes of perseverance and individualism are stomped with the subtlety of an älg wandering into town. The score, however, pulls me back, taking me to those serene moments where you can almost hear the pine needles drop.

This film, though not perfect, oozes a certain American ruggedness that’s quite charming, if a bit melodramatic at times. Flick on a cozy plaid blanket, sip on some glögg, and immerse yourself in this tale of brawny resolve and familial chaos. You’ll either walk away inspired — or at least know where to find a good salad dressing.

Check the trailer below