Live a Little

Best friends Alex (Aviva Wrede) and Laura (Embla Ingelman-Sundberg) embark on a trip across Europe in Fanny Ovesen’s sensational directorial debut, Live a Little. Although it’s a trip the pair have been excited about for years, events take a dramatic turn when Laura wakes up in a stranger’s bed after an evening of partying. With no memory of the night before, she begins to question what could have happened while reflecting on her own boundaries. Ovesen navigates these complex themes and emotions with sensitivity and depth within this heartfelt coming-of-age tale.

Crucially, though, the filmmaker never explicitly reveals the truth about that night. Instead, Laura is left to grapple with every possibility while only retaining hazy flashes of memory. Was it a meaningless drunken one-night stand, the best sexual experience of her life, or was she the victim of something she doesn’t want to admit? As all these thoughts race through her head, Ingelman-Sundberg effectively articulates each emotion in a phenomenal and understated performance. Each probable scenario becomes an avenue for Ovesen to explore a different facet of the current generation. Whether it’s relationship dynamics, female friendship, or social stigma, each is handled with honesty and care.

In counterpoint to Laura’s anxieties and bouts of self-destructive behaviour, Ovesen imbues her debut with a euphoric sense of freedom. Alongside the inviting sun-kissed streets of the cities the friends visit and the interesting collection of people they meet there, everything is scored with a magnificent soundtrack that embodies a carefree youthful spirit. This sharp tonal contrast serves to further heighten Laura’s inner conflict as she tries not to let her negative experience ruin the trip for her and Alex. A smart feminist edge likewise adds bursts of comedy and extra thematic texture.

By taking a very real issue within contemporary society, stripping it back, and carefully examining each part, Ovesen has crafted a grounded and thoughtful portrait of modern youth that will resonate with every generation. At its core lie two wonderful and tender performances from Wrede and Ingelman-Sundberg, whose strong rapport shines through in every scene.