Under the Sun

"Under the Sun" is an atmospheric romantic drama set deep in the countryside sometime in the 1950s. Olof is a 40-year-old farmer who advertises in the newspaper for a young housekeeper. He is a lonely bachelor who has lived alone since his mother died eight years ago. In fact, it is not really a housekeeper he wants, but a female companion for life.

Olof does not hesitate when 33-year-old Ellen Lind gets in touch. Nor does he come to regret it, for Ellen is both kind and uncommonly pretty, and she soon gets the household into shape.

Olof's only close friend, the conceited lout Erik, is also smitten with Ellen, but she sees straight through him. Erik owes Olof money, but Olof is unlikely ever to see it again, for he is too kind and gullible, and Erik is too cheeky. Ellen, however, is more than a match for Erik, but he has an ace up his sleeve, for what is a woman like Ellen doing out in the back of beyond? Ellen is indeed a woman with a past, and Erik is not above using what he knows to protect his own interests. An even bigger blow is that Ellen has given her heart to Olof and not to him.

"Under the Sun" is an absorbing drama, but it takes its time. An extra round with the scissors would work wonders.