User Reviews

As a big fan of Swedish cinema, I really enjoyed this movie. I thought the development of the characters were great and the chemistry between them. For most of the part, the acting is good. There were some actors with smaller roles who could have done a bit better, but it's nothing too big a deal.

The movie follows an overweight girl (Maja) who is very passionate about acting, and more than anything wants to become an actress. She meets a documentary filmmaker (Erika) at a wedding and the two decides to shoot a documentary about Maja's life.

I'm not sure if I agree this is partly a comedy. To me, for the most part this was a pure drama.

Anyway, I would definitely recommend you to check this movie out.

7/10

It must have been fate as an obese and awkward (but at the same time surprisingly beautiful) school-girl Maja (Zandra Andersson) meets an unfulfilled filmmaker turned wedding-camerawoman Erika (Moa Silen). Maja is maniacally intent of becoming an actress, whilst Erika sees her as a perfect subject for a documentary. Penniless Erika moves in to Maja's house and films everyday trials and tribulations of the young lady finding a depth, vulnerability and kindness that was not expected.

Despite being engaging and very much fun "Prinsessa" is a movie poised somewhere between a cinema movie and a TV drama. Nonetheless the main characters in the movie manage to entice and capture any still beating heart into its grip. Therefore any emotional vulnerability you show will be seized upon and it is easy to find yourself captured by the undeniable charm of Maja. Nonetheless the movie never manages to reach "Precious" type dramatic highs, although this has nothing to do with the general feel-goodness of the movie. As such "Prinsessa" had the potential and cast to be a more optimistic and positive throwback at the renowned American film. The thing that drags its Swedish counterpart down lies in the script deficiencies. As far as Maja herself seems very real and close-to-heart most remaining secondary characters are to farcical and over-the-edge to make the drama stick. Even more so that several situations are clearly overboard making "Prinsessa" a better than average teenage coming-of-age comedy.

There are also a couple of extremely weak dialogues plaguing the movie, unfortunately one occurs in an absolutely pivotal conversation between Maja and Erika near the movie's climax.

Still loved the watch and was pleasantly surprised by the engaging comedy-drama, which slowly but surely accomplishes exactly what was set out from the word go.

First of, let's understand what this film is. It's a feel good drama comedy. It doesn't aspire to any infinite truths. It's just a little story, about an obese teenage girl who is determined to be an actress, a young woman with a failed career as a filmmaker and equally failed personal life, and a teenage boy who appears to have everything but is living a tragic double life. We are introduced to their hopes for the future, their struggle for acceptance and their dreams.

The direct and honest approach is this films greatest strength. It doesn't pretend to be anything it's not. And it does what it sets out to with grace, the energy and the focus is unusual in Swedish film-making. Balancing somewhere between teen drama, romantic comedy and growing up story in both theme and tone it manages to hit all the right buttons and achieve exactly what it intended. You feel for these characters. As far as message go something is said about being who you are, about finding your place outside the given norm, about how we see anyone who is different, but it is gently placed in you pocket rather than smacked into your head. And most importantly, you smile, you cringe, you might even shed a tear or two and you genuinely laugh when you watch this movie. I know I did.

Anyone who has ever felt like a misfit, a weirdo, a freak and wondered what the hell you are doing wrong and tried to find somewhere to belong should feel right at home in this film.

This is my first IMDb-review ever and I am not really comfortable with writing in English, but I couldn't stand that this wonderful, sweet, heartbreaking, laugh out loud funny film didn't have any comments. So I hope more people will step up and help me market this gem.

If you have a chance to see it, take it!

a beautiful fat girl. her story as carpet from expectations, searches, pain and naivety. about limits of friendship and trust, success and hope. not great tale but sensitive and warm. pledge for tolerance and for images behind masks. and impressive Zandra Andersson. lightly movie with pieces of cinnamon. and picture of self definition. pledge for difference and lesson about interior beauty, small things and power as part of your mind. deep roots and easy story.in fact, a strange Sweedish film out of ordinaries rules. slice of spring day in which rain and sun are hands of same body. and small crumb from life in happy end juice.

Zandra Andersson steps out of the camera and in to your living room. Her precense is in every moment is 100 percent. You will laugh and cry and dream together with her. Anastasious Soulis is equally there, making every minute feel real, and the truest of friendships manifest as the camera rolls.

Really enjoyed this Swedish film. It is well-written, in that it has a good moral compass and achieves the message very thoroughly with fine acting. Zandra Andersson was superb IMHO, playing an actress within the film is no easy task and dealing with issues of physical appearance must have been challenging. Bravo! The supporting cast is more than adequate, especially the performance of Anastasios Soulis and Moa Silén. The American title is "Starring Maja" (Swedish title "Princessa"). I thoroughly enjoyed this film because it also doesn't leave you hanging, it comes to a full, definite conclusion, therefore well-written. Sweden keeps coming out with these great films every year! Keep it up! Jätte bra!