Allan Karlsson, we learn, has lived a remarkable life, and yet appears to be a rather unremarkable fellow, who just so happens to like to blow things up.

On his 100th birthday, having recently moved into a retirement home, Allan decides to climb out the window and continue on his journey through life.

And boy, has his life has been a journey.

Through flashbacks, we learn about the many incredible yet random events that Allan has been a part of, from building atomic bombs to important diplomatic relations encounters.

In the present, he finds himself in possession of a suitcase that contains significant value to a bikie gang and a criminal mastermind. He is hunted down time and time again by a range of nasty characters, yet somehow he manages to take it all in his stride.

Along the way, he picks up a group of strangers that soon become complicit in the whole suitcase affair; and his disappearance has him on the radar of a local detective, who starts to wonder if a recent spate of disappearances might not be linked to Allan’s own.

The Hundred Year Old Man Who Climbed Out of the Window and Disappeared is based on the popular novel of the same name by Jonas Jonasson. It’s a delightful tale, which never takes itself or its subject too seriously. It is outrageously unbelievable, but it’s also quite enjoyable.

For those of us who are serious by nature, this film offers a moment to pause and wonder what life could be like if we were a little more nonchalantly oblivious. And Allan definitely is. Despite his encounters with world wars, presidents, espionage, biker gangs and elephants, Allan somehow manages to remain serenely in the moment, allowing the cascading currents of life simply carry him along.

At its heart, this Swedish film sends a strong message that there are benefits to living in the now, and not wasting precious moments agonising on the past or future.

If you’re looking for a lighter film, why not give The Hundred Year Old Man Who Climbed Out of the Window and Disappeared a go. It is filled with rich characters and offbeat humour, and it’s nothing if not a film that lives up to the title’s promise.

Directed by: Felix Herngren
Starring: Robert Gustafsson, Iwar Wiklander, Maria Elisabeth Skäringer
Rating: M
Runtime: 114mins
Release Date: August 21
Reviewer rating: 3.5/5