Blomstrande tider (1980)

The film is set in the mid-1970s. Jussi Bergström arrives by bus in a small community somewhere in Sweden. He has served as a UN soldier in Cyprus and is locally known as a successful competitive cyclist. The local newspaper is there, and its editor, Henry, takes pictures and welcomes Jussi home. Anja works at the local bar, Dallas, and Jussi goes to see her at work. They have been involved before, but she makes it clear that she hasn’t been waiting for him. Outside, Dallas watches them through the window. The community’s leading man is Göte Larsson, whose company, Götes Skrot & Maskin, is expanding. He is also a driving force in the local sports club. Jussi starts working for Göte, who also deals in used cars. Göte entrusts Jussi with a task: to travel to Stockholm, find a certain car dealer named Blomkvist, and hand over a package. While Jussi is at Blomkvist’s garage, a car comes speeding in. Sirens can be heard from the street, and Blomkvist rushes to the car. He yells at the driver and hits him, gives him some money, then finally sends him away. Back home, Jussi tells Henry about what happened. Jussi also goes to see Dallas and asks him for a job. Dallas says he’ll think about it and invites Jussi to the wedding reception at the same time. Jussi makes another attempt to court Anja, but she rejects him again. Jussi starts beating Anja, but Dallas interrupts him. Jussi travels to Stockholm again, but this time he is sent on from Blomkvist’s garage to deliver his package at Haga. As he waits there, he sees a car stop in the distance and starts walking toward it. Before he reaches it, police cars surround it, and Jussi flees the scene. He seeks comfort with Doris, who is married to commuter Lennart. In the morning, her son Kent finds Jussi in Dad’s place in the double bed. Jussi arrives late at the wedding reception but goes in and speaks up: “I’d like to say a few things to those of you here tonight.” He continues: “I hope things go well for you, Anja and Dallas.” Outside the venue, Doris comes up to him and explains that her husband wants a divorce and that she loves Jussi. Jussi says little and withdraws. Jussi goes to Göte and explains that Göte will have to go to Stockholm himself next time. Jussi packs his bags and tells his mother that he has been invited on a holiday trip. He gets on the bus at Dallas.