Synopsis
JJ+E, also known as Vinterviken, is a Netflix original film from Sweden that focuses on the theme of teenage love between people of different social statuses. Based on the novel by Mats Wahl, the film was released on September 8, 2021. The story revolves around the lives of two teenagers, John John, and Elisabeth, whose love for each other transcends societal and financial barriers.
The Plot
John John and Elisabeth fall in love at first sight despite their different economic, cultural, and social classes. Their love overcomes all these differences, but the complicated family problems and criminal activities with John John’s friends make him anxious and affect their relationship. Will they stay united because of their love?
One day, John John and his friend, Sluggo, steal a boat and sail to the elite community, where Patricia, a little girl, nearly drowns and they save her by chance. As a sign of gratitude, Patricia’s father invites them to his home where John John meets Elisabeth, Patricia’s sister, and immediately falls in love with her. However, Sluggo, who intentionally memorized Elisabeth’s house alarm code, convinces John John and their friends to break into the luxury home. Unexpectedly, they have to leave in a hurry as the family returns home early.
John John has problems with his mother’s boyfriend, but he passes the drama class entrance exam. On the first day of school, he is surprised to see Elisabeth, who looks sad. After John John finds out the reason, he tries to console her. However, Elisabeth becomes angry with him. Despite this, they begin stalking each other’s social media accounts.
Day by day, they become closer, especially after John John’s invitation to Patricia’s birthday party. John John tries his best to make Elisabeth smile, especially because she seems passive in class. John John takes Elisabeth to a theatre performance they had waited so long to see, but Elisabeth doesn’t show up. She was requested by her father to stay home and watch her younger sister.
The Turning Point
John John and their friends came to Elisabeth’s house and brought her together to a café. Elisabeth was immediately accepted by John John’s friends, especially when she showed her acting talent. John John escorted Elisabeth home, and they went swimming together. They were almost caught by Elisabeth’s father.
However, their relationship turned sour when they were robbed by two thugs on their way back from a rave in the woods. Elisabeth’s jewelry and cellphone were taken. When the robbers wanted to take John John’s watch, he refused, and they hit Elisabeth. Eventually, they took John John’s watch too.
Elisabeth was disappointed with John John’s attitude. She didn’t want to meet him again. Additionally, Elisabeth’s father forbade John John from meeting his daughter. But John John’s heart was restless. He visited Elisabeth’s house in the middle of the night, during the rain. John John revealed why he didn’t want to let go of the watch. It was not his.
Sluggo was involved with the criminals and was asked to hand over the stolen watch. John John was forced to admit that he misplaced one of the watches when he borrowed it. In order to compensate for the ransom shortage, John John, and Sluggo stole the sound system from the drama school, which cancelled their performance the next day.
The ransom was paid, but Sluggo and John John had to disappear for a few days. Suddenly, Sluggo saw his ex-girlfriend’s lover and was shot dead in front of John John. Of course, John John was angry and wanted to take revenge by stealing his friend’s pistol and searching for the shooter’s whereabouts.
John John pointed the gun at Sluggo’s shooter, while Elisabeth went to the location where John John was with her friend. John John was taken inside a police car. Elisabeth chased after the police car on her motorcycle and was put inside the car by the police. Finally, John John and Elisabeth met again.
Conclusion
In conclusion, JJ+E is an engaging love story about two teenagers from different economic and social classes. Despite obstacles, John John and Elisabeth are devoted to each other, and their story is both heartwarming and inspiring. If you are a fan of romantic films, JJ+E is a must-watch film on Netflix.
