The Last Keepers: A Quaint Ride with a Sprinkle of Magic

Hey movie lovers, gather around because “The Last Keepers” is like a cozy autumn day on the Swedish countryside, mixed with a dash of fairy tale wonder. Directed by Maggie Greenwald and starring the ever-charming Aidan Quinn and Virginia Madsen, this is a film that wraps you in its whimsical whimsy, quite like a warm kanelbulle.

I gotta say, the film’s setting is as charming as a Stockholm summer evening. The magical themes certainly hooked me right from the get-go. There’s sumthin’ about mystical powers handed down through generations that makes you wonder, “What if Farfar had some hidden talents we never knew about?” Tom Benjamin’s involvement is evident in its gentle quirkiness, guiding the entire ensemble into unexpected narrative turns, like meandering through Djurgården without a map.

When watching, bring a cup of your favorite kaffe, because it feels a bit like flipping through an old family album at mormor’s—with a story revolving around family secrets, it’s undeniably relatable. You start thinking, maybe I should’ve asked more about Uncle Sven’s peculiar childhood stories?

The performances are a standout. Zosia Mamet delivers as a teenager trying to blend the magic with teenage life; it brings a real spark. Yet, the film sometimes skims over deeper emotional inquiries, like how we’d sometimes gloss over small talk at a fika.

I can’t quite decide if it’s the otherworldly charm or just the need for more exploration, but the movie feels like it’s missing something—an extra pinch of drama or perhaps a thicker layer of mystery. Like when you realize you added too little salt in your Janssons frestelse.

All in all, if you’re in the mood for a gentle escape with a bit of magic, give this one a whirl. It’s kind of like standing in Gamla Stan on a Sunday afternoon; comforting and a tad surprising. Plus, any movie that makes you ponder about inherited talents—be it magical or mere stubbornness—is worth a watch, don’t you think?

Check the trailer below