Update 2: Click here if you are looking for the name of the song from Volvo TV commercial Favorite Things
Update: The best explanation so far comes from one of our readers: Cynthia.
Daughter’s wedding day.
Mom and Dad (marital problems caused a separation)…they’re in the Volvo and coming back from their daughters wedding. Dad has always done his most intense thinking in life in a Volvo. Such as when he stopped and cried after dropping daughter, back when 10 yrs old, at camp. He also reflects when he and wife decided to separate was in a Volvo, ( scene shows sad wife in flower dress when they must have had the separation conversation in a Volvo.) Fact is, he wrote his wedding speech in a Volvo.
On the way home from the wedding, also in car next to dad is his son… In front seat is son’s partner.(they are gay) Dad is thinking (again, in a Volvo) about
the speech he gave at daughter’s wedding. He thinks of how he told her of all the unexpected things one is not exactly prepared for in a marriage,…such as adjusting to the fact ones son is gay and then…because of love, embracing it. Further, of life’s unexpected events, such as his marital problems. ( In back of Volvo he twirls his wedding ring, ) He is actually reflecting on the fact of the separation is actually giving up…and he just told his daughter and son in law to never give up when life throws a curve ball. At that moment he decides he is not going to give up on his marriage. Puts ring back on, pats wife shoulder as if to say, “like other hard times, we will get through this, too. She smiles as the entire day of the wedding reminded her too of the “good days” and that she too wants to heed his advice to their daughter…never give up. She continues her deep thoughts, in a Volvo, by turning music on and everyone goes back to thinking of deep moments in life, in the rest of the Volvo ride. (The part with two guys and flowers in back was a reflection of him young with his best man driving flowers to his own wedding and remembering how happy he was.) So his speech and his deep thoughts, in a Volvo, gave him the courage to make things work.
“Wedding” is a new commercial from Volvo USA. The advert celebrates Father’s Day, but it is very confusing. A few days ago Volvo unveiled three short spots (“Twin Engine Plug-in Hybrid”, “Flowers with 2 Passengers”, and “A Place To Collect Your Thoughts”) and in the end published the extended video of Wedding commercial.
The ad promotes 2016 Volvo XC90 with the tagline “Our Idea of Luxury”.
The father staying in the back is played by Ron Jack Foley.
The songs are Every Time the Sun Comes Up – Sharon Van Etten and Lil Fighters – Emily’s song.
Because it is so provoking, the Volvo commercial obviously gets people talking about it. And those endless discussions creates engagement. And people engagement should be good for Volvo as for any company.
What is the explanation of Volvo Wedding commercial? Some people think that they were coming from a Funeral, others think that is a gay wedding. The camera from the spot, a Hasselblad H Series medium format DSLR, creates even more fuss… All agree that it is a very confusing situation.
One of the best explanations is made by Tibirius Toll on youtube: “Guy with the beard is the father. His wife and the bride’s mother is driving the car. The young guy in the back is his son and Groomsman. Guy with the Camera (Tony) is son’s friend and fellow Groomsman. The car scene is after the wedding. Father is melancholic as most fathers are after the wedding, and is sitting in the backseat because he was drinking. Wife plays melancholy music on the cool stereo.”
thank you! Now ít is clear for me!
You’re welcome 🙂
Bizarre Ad really seems more like a shadow of someone’s dream…I see no connection with it and a car manufacturer other than it takes place in a car. But an ad that takes place in a restaurant doesn’t make me want to buy a restaurant. Give me cute, funny, exciting, or surprising but if it takes searching the internet to figure out what an advertisement is all about, then something went really wrong.
Your explanation makes sense. I love this advert!
It is a great advert! Thank you for your comment!
I watched this a couple times over and I still can’t figure out what it means .
I totally agree Lora. If they are riding in the Volvo after the wedding, as suggested by Mr. Liviu above, where’s the bride? Maybe she bolted because she realized how weird this family is. Haha! Anyway, ads are supposed to entice you to buy the product, but this confusing ad makes me want to buy anything BUT a Volvo. I hate when ad agencies want to show how avant grade and edgy they are. Pitching themselves instead of the product.
The bride and groom are enthusiastically embarking on their honeymoon. They wouldn’t be driving home with Mom or Dad. The 2 younger men are probably brothers to the bride or groom.
None of the thoughts fully explain the commercial.
Given the man’s ethnicity how can he be related to anyone in the car?
The bride is not in the car because she left with her husband and not going back home with her family.
If the driver is the man’s wife, there’s a heck of an age difference.
At first I thought they were going to or coming from a funeral.
Why would the bride be driving the car instead of one of the 3 guys or being wisked away in a limo? Is a volvo that confusing to drive?
It was not an H series camera. Its a 500C/M with a PM 45 finder and a modern CFV-50 digital back.
Thank you for the insight!
At least that takes the camera out of the $40,500 price range, nearly the price of the vehicle 🙂
Thank you! I agree it was confusing at first. I thought all the things described. Then when the second one aired when the dad is writing his journal at the lighthouse, it finally made sense. Now I can enjoy it and download those songs.
indeed the songs are superb.
Ron Jack Foley is a great actor
Agree!
Beautiful commercial, now it all makes sense
Dad is fumbling with a wedding band. Mom/ wife fails to keep eyes on the road if she is indeed the designated driver..
They’re coming back from their recently-married daughter’s funeral. She and her new husband were killed in a road accident. They weren’t driving a Volvo.
See, it’s easy to figure these things out. Especially if you’re smoking dope like the ad agency people who created this abomination.
Nice try 🙂
I buy the explanation… But why is Dad putting his wedding ring ON at the end? We’re still missing part of the story! His speech or diary entry discussed dealing with unexpected things…are we talking mommy and daddy having marital issues before the wedding? I hate commercials that make NO sense, I don’t talk about them at work, and the commercial doesn’t make me want to run out and buy a Volvo!
What about the male arrow symbol on the Volvo insignia at the end of the commercial? did anyone catch it?
Known as the “Iron Mark,” it reflects the strength and heritage of the Swedish company. It represents the automaker’s strength, safety, and durability. The silver color represents perfection and refinement while the blue color (often used for the text portion) depicts wisdom and reliability.
Volvo’s logo is actually the ancient chemical symbol for iron. The company’s founders wanted a strong image for their vehicles. Gabrielsson and Larson were inspired by their time spent working for a Swedish steel company.
The male gender icon originated in ancient Rome, used as the astrological symbol for Mars (probably his sword and shield). During the Renaissance, it became synonymous with the male gender (the symbol for Venus being the female gender). However, alchemists used these icons for something else.
So obvious, man in backseat just married off his transgendered daughter in marriage where the best man was her gay brother. The gay brother’s boyfriend is in the front sitting with the mother. Both the mother and father are reflecting…… Where did they go wrong in life where they ended up with a bunch of gay/transgendered mixed children, Possibly regretting that they ever married in the first place.
Why would the Bride be driving..the best man or the Dad should of been driving the Bride and Groom!
I still don’t understand what he is doing with his own wedding ring. And why he is Middle Eastern-looking. I now realise that all his dialogue is his wedding speech. But the rest, confusing as heck. Including how far away and in such a lonely place that they live …
So much detail to so many responses! To me – I thought the mother and father of the bride were separated…he was alone in the car at first, writing in the book..then the car is full of people after the wedding looking through the pictures taken during the ceremony, while he plays with his wedding band–perhaps contemplating where his marriage went wrong….what the heck all this has to do with a VOLVO is a mystery…doesn’t want me want to go by one, that for sure.
I love this commercial. I watched the extended version many times. All the characters play their part really well, especially the dad. They couldn’t have picked a better person for the dad character. Ron play his part so well made me cry thinking of my dad.
Thanks for the explanation. That Hasselblad really got my goat, as it cost nearly $40,500 on Amazon (if it is the HDL series). This is one ad that i personally do not like as it concentrates too heavily on a cast of persons who mean literally nothing in the ad and seem to add nothing. A car is a car; perhaps the writers thought they were practicing for a Rolls Royce or Bentley ad?
I keep seeing this “ad” on TV and I have to say it is just plain STUPID. Sure wouldn’t cause me to seek out any answers as to what is going on or why. Just go get another drink or bag or popcorn while it lumbers along.
For a useful ad, take a look at Bentley
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0UxZlXHdsyU
No regular wedding. This is pending terrorist attack on an infidel wedding with the Volvo trunk loaded with a fertilizer bomb. Arab older man is an Imam, blonde “woman” is a fellow terrorist in drag, playing his “wife”, the two younger men, playing his sons, are there to wield the boxcutters and live film it for their FB page, before they all go to Allah. The gold ring is the only mystery.
Why this ad? Duh! Volvo is running this to appeal to the billions of “peace loving” Muslims on Earth.
What type of hair cut does Ron jack foley have what’s the name of that hair cut style
I got it….
The father of the bride is a widower and the bride is his only child. This is why he cried when he dropped her off at camp when she was 10 (“It was just the two of us….).
He is in the car with the mother and brothers of the groom, which is why one of them called him “Mr. B.” The groom’s mother is probably a widow.
He puts on the wedding band because he is remembering his wife.
How is the lady in the commercial?
I enjoyed watching the ad for the latest Rolls Royce as it literally smoked its rear tires on takeoff from 0 to 60 in under FOUR SECONDS! A huge beautiful hulk literally springing into action. No questions asked – $400,000+.
Fire your marketing and public relations agency and get a new one
Really? When was the last time you were engaged in chat about a car commercial?
It’s not a gay wedding, as I originally thought it might be, because the father — alone in the beginning so he can practice the words he will later use to toast the bride — makes reference to his “little girl getting married.” His daughter, who we see in one of the cameraman’s pictures, is blonde like the man’s wife, who is driving at the end because the father has perhaps had a few too many at the wedding. He plays with his wedding band as he relives the memory of his own wedding to the woman he still clearly loves. Notice the way he squeezes her shoulder when the music comes on and she smiles back at him. The commercial shows the car in three different situations with three different drivers — a vehicle large enough to transport all those wedding flowers, quiet enough to be a sanctuary, and comfortable enough to hold a whole carful of people. Mood music on a great sound system is the icing on the cake. What’s not to love about this commercial? I’m ready to buy this car! But which color should I choose? 🙂
Excellent review of the commercial. Thank you for your comment, Irene!
What’s missing is the fact that dad is really saying to his daughter, “You are not ready for this marriage. You are not ready to deal with the unexpected. You are not ready to lose someone.” In reality he’s lost her long ago. Daughter was always eager to leave his watch for camp, for boys on the beach, and now for marriage. Daughter had that smile of giddiness and anticipation that just shatters his heart. Wedding is impromptu, evidenced by the destination venue.
I think the wedding didn’t go as planned and the Bride (his daughter) ended up not going through it at the last minute. The wedding band he is rolling between his fingers his future son-in-law’s. He is very sad about the whole event. They all look rather sad not happy! Yet have the luxury of leaving the disasterour wedding in their very nice vehicle.
What you guys are still missing: In his speech he says marriage is hard—and sometimes love isn’t your first instinct. (What an uplifting message, but very Scandinavian, it’s a Swedish car-maker you see.) The father putting his ring back on his finger is him reaffirming his love for his wife, who is driving.
Yes, the two guys picking up the flowers is really weird. The one in the “fun,” “creative,” stupid shirt calls the father Mr. B. So I would assume he’s a long-time family friend or the gay husband of the brother in the backseat.
It is a fake wedding and they are driving the father to the insane asylum.
So why is he playing with a ring? This is the dumbest commercial, almost as stupid as the one with the old man who wraps his towel around a young girl and sits with her in the towel by the pool (drug commercial). I still don’t get it and I still think its dumb.
The fact that we are all researching and talking about this commercial makes it a great commercial and it does make me think about driving that car to my son’s wedding one day.
This Commercial blows, and ya that moaning singing thing needs go away. Sounds like she was stabbed in the stomach and then decides to sing a depressing song. Hipsters blow
This is a stupid commercial. And what a waste of time for all the people trying to figure it out. Get a life people. So why is Osama Bin Laden in the back seat, anyway?
i think this targets people that are done with vans and big SUVs, their kids are growing up, going to college, getting married. Wedding of his beloved daughter brings back memories like when he dropped her off at summer camp. Now he sees he has done his job and she is marrying someone he respects (and all girls marry their dads in many ways)..
Mom (spitting image of their daughter) is driving because dad had a few too many which gives him time to reflect on his journey with his wife. Extra guy ( photographer/friend) and flowers from the reception is a reminder that we still need a roomy sensible yet elegant SUV and can’t go straight to the Corvette or BMW Convertible…
When extra guy asks father (calls him Mr. Toby), his wife can see that he is getting tear ray eyed so she ramps up the music on the luxury radio so he does not get embarrassed and he can linger in the moment
As a 51 married women with two kid getting ready for college, the commercial had me in tears. Just bought a BMW midsize SUV 8 months ago (hubby didn’t want a Volvo). I think it hit the target market.
Thank god we are not the only ones who dont get it!,
Who is the actress driving the car
You people are stupid. This is obviously a co-branded Uber-Volvo commercial. The woman’s husband cheated on her and she left him and got thr Volvo in the divorce. She has no skills because shes been a housewife her whole life so shes forced to Uber but luckily she qualifies for Uber Plus so for now she can keep her monthly hair appointment. She’s taking this family to a wedding after they just crossed the Syrian border and are looking for a new life hence the wedding taking place in no man’s land. The passenger and guy in the back seat are gay amd in a quarrel and we can only hope the soothing music and some vodka slammers at the after party will bring them back together. This is a no-tip Uber ride so the old man is happy and smiles.
I think that the daughter, who just got married, was out in the woods hugging a tree and cooing at a butterfly. Just then, she sees a bear cub, runs to give the bear cub a hug, the mother bear intercepts her and of course kills her. The father is lamenting the futility of trying to protect his loved ones by purchasing a Volvo, what’s the point?
Finally, it all makes sense.
The man in the back seat is a rich Arab prince. He came to the US to find a pretty American lady to add to his harem. She has accepted his ten million dollar offer to marry him and join with his other 40 wives. He holds her wedding ring in his hand as she drives them to the airport, acting as his chauffeur. Arab princes don’t drive. They will soon be married in his native land.
Any commercial which is so “high-concept” as to adversely distract attention away from the advertised product is a waste of time!
Handsome Father reminiscing about his own wedding gives lovely wife rub on shoulders…what’s to think about? I want a Volvo to drive him home with me too!
Possibly some of the worse commercials I have ever seen. The absolutely LAST thing I want to do is buy a Volvo after watching that garbage..
Why is the father holding a wedding ring/
Okay you folks have just made me have dome really great laughs. You sre sooo funny!! This commercial came on again and im like WHAT? I just dont get it…thst makes me crazy, so decided to google what the heck is this commercial about…i came across you funny people and still no explanation. Thanks for the laughs. Im not as funny as u all.
I really do think Volvo is targeting the middle eastern market though, tjus5the midestrn looking guy his white wife and mixed kids. Why? Because any that have money are driving a Mercedes. So i think Volvo with Osama Bin Laden in back seat is telling mid easterners Volvo is happy to have “summa yow kash”.
These comments are hilarious and just about sum up what my husband and I thought this commercial was about. It was very confusing. Sure there’s a lot of dialog going on about a car commercial but the reality is, after the commercial played, I asked my husband “what kind of car was that”? Neither of us knew and we’ve seen this commercial at least 10 times. We hit rewind, saw it was Volvo, which brought me here to this forum as I was looking for an explanation to this commercial. Thought provoking as it is, if I was the client (Volvo), all I’d be concerned with is sales numbers. If sales have increased since the airing of these (3) spots, then their agency did their job.
I loved it but the wedding ring, obviously small, has me puzzled. Love the tenderness of his touch on her shoulder. Ahh, to have that tenderness again!
I cringe whenever this commercial comes on and can’t for it to end and I don’t care that it’s about it what it means, it is the most asinine commercial I’ve seen in a long long time.
Exactly Hal you figured it out So obvious where Volvo was going with this a muslim friendly political statement I find this annoying them trying to push their kumbaya ideas on the whole population it’s annoying and makes me want to buy anything but a Volvo
I love this commercial, and have no idea why anyone is struggling to understand it. I haven’t seen the extended version. Don’t need to. It’s about longevity/reliability, just like a marriage. The target market is the aging population. A generation concerned with loyalty, commitment, reliability. All of which, Volvo is known for.
Here’s the explanation. Dad announced he’s gay, and his boyfriend is sitting next to him in the back. This is why he’s taking his wedding ring off. Mom is a cougar, and here new boy toy is playing with her camera in the front seat. Dad is also rip roaring drunk and can’t drink.
worst commercial as far as car commercials go….maybe they are trying to compete with the Subaru commercials which are darn perfect…there is also a pretty good Buick commercial but this thing is so far off the mark as to be out in the ocean in the frame.
Osama in the back seat is thinking where did this ring come from and I could donkey punch this broad here if the seat wasn’t in the way. He touches her shoulder to see if theres anyway he can do a partial donkey punch from back there.
Not impressed. Makes me inclined to purchase a Lexus SUV. They don’t make it so clever and painful to enjoy the car-buying experience.
Why is he holding a wedding ring?
Finally I went searching for what the heck this commercial was suppose to mean… figured I wasn’t the only one confused… thanks for posting the extended commercial… puzzle solved!
If you think the commercial is stupid you should check out the lyrics to this song!!! It’s “Every Time the Sun Comes Up” by Sharon Van Etten. I love the line ” I washed your dishes, but I shit in your bathroom”. HAHAHAHAHAHA
He is a very handsome sensitive muslim man who is demonstrating his anti muslim character by allowing her to drive and no less drive a volvo He is subserviient to her, not like the typical muslim keeping her in a burka and not allowing her to drive. Also, she is probably very educated.
the kids are whacko.
The seating isn’t logical. Just odd.
Great looking vehicle… Beautiful!!! If I weren’t totally in love with my C30 T5 RDesign if buy it!!!
All my friends are talking about Stranger Things and I’m just trying to figure out this Volvo commercial.
Adult kids and I figured it out: Parents and brothers of the bride. Dad drank too much at daughter’s wedding, and mom insisted on driving the new Volvo. Dad got mad and took ring off, contemplating leaving mom for not letting him drive the new Volvo. Mom sees brother looking through the pictures of the wedding, sees the one of dad toasting the new couple. Mom gets melancholy thinking of their own wedding and plays “their song.” Dad remembers when mom was young and hot, smiles, gives mom a squeeze, and puts his ring back on.
Can’t stand the song in the commercial. Why on earth are they trying to punish potential buyers with that whiny voice? I get it’s a wedding, but that is about it. I “assume” the guy in the back is the husband of the woman driving. The other two..who knows. Worst Volvo commercial ever!
I think you’re all right. Awesome comments.
Now that you kind off explained the comercial is even more STUPID.
Your explanation of the commercial is exactly what I thought… Gee I’m good 😉
Thank you Volvo for supporting families….no matter what they look like.
Omg u all are hilarious!!! Love every explanation on here!
Stupid.
This has been hilarious!! Some of you are really funny!!:)
How can anyone from Volvo authorize this commercial?! Does it promote conversation? yes, but not about a Volvo. There is nothing contained in this ad that draws me closer to purchasing/leasing a Volvo. I give the ad a grade of “F”.
Agree with the stated explanation, with one addition, the 2 groomsman are also married based on their scene and his narration during it, the man in back is the son/brother, his hi and front passenger and mom driving.
Volvo is a luxury brand now and this commercial plays to that, given the locations and the home it is parked in front of.
Daughter’s wedding day.
Mom and Dad (marital problems caused a separation)…they’re in the Volvo and coming back from their daughters wedding. Dad has always done his most intense thinking in life in a Volvo. Such as when he stopped and cried after dropping daughter, back when 10 yrs old, at camp. He also reflects when he and wife decided to separate was in a Volvo, ( scene shows sad wife in flower dress when they must have had the separation conversation in a Volvo.) Fact is, he wrote his wedding speech in a Volvo.
On the way home from the wedding, also in car next to dad is his son… In front seat is son’s partner.(they are gay) Dad is thinking (again, in a Volvo) about
the speech he gave at daughter’s wedding. He thinks of how he told her of all the unexpected things one is not exactly prepared for in a marriage,…such as adjusting to the fact ones son is gay and then…because of love, embracing it. Further, of life’s unexpected events, such as his marital problems. ( In back of Volvo he twirls his wedding ring, ) He is actually reflecting on the fact of the separation is actually giving up…and he just told his daughter and son in law to never give up when life throws a curve ball. At that moment he decides he is not going to give up on his marriage. Puts ring back on, pats wife shoulder as if to say, “like other hard times, we will get through this, too. She smiles as the entire day of the wedding reminded her too of the “good days” and that she too wants to heed his advice to their daughter…never give up. She continues her deep thoughts, in a Volvo, by turning music on and everyone goes back to thinking of deep moments in life, in the rest of the Volvo ride. (The part with two guys and flowers in back was a reflection of him young with his best man driving flowers to his own wedding and remembering how happy he was.) So his speech and his deep thoughts, in a Volvo, gave him the courage to make things work.
You are a great story teller! Thanks for putting some context to the situation. The original article only answered the most obvious of questions, and poorly. It was apparent who the parents were, but I always wondered why was he holding his ring instead of wearing it, and sitting behind instead of beside her if they were still married? It wasn’t until a month of wondering later that I noticed her wedding band around her neck. So, exes with regrets? … or perhaps surviving spouses?(Father/Bride)(Mother/Groom)? What happens next with them? What happens in your next chapter Miss Cynthia?
Thank you for your comment. I update the article with your thoughts.
Beautiful commercial, it brings to light what’s important in life Volvo great job we spend a lot of our lives in cars and we need to be safe to be able to remember these moments !#Volvoitsabeautifullife
Its simple . The man is gay getting married and he’s with his friends . His bestie is driving . It’s his chosen family taking him there .
Never mind I didn’t see extended version . Idk what it means .
EVEN AFTER READING THE EXPLANATION AND COMMENTS, I DONT GET IT. SHOULD BE TAKEN OFF OF THE AIR. I APPRECIATE A GOOD COMMERCIAL WHEN I SEE ONE….THIS IS NOT ONE.
I just want to know the actresses name! That’s all. That is a class act.
Wow. Awful commercial. I’d never buy a Swedish car to start with but this is literally the worst commercial I’ve seen in the last 35 years
Give me the commercials for beer with the puppies and horses. NO dialouge there but everyone can understand the story.
Like this one https://dailycommercials.com/budweiser-puppy-love/ , right?
Yes, that one. I just got tears in my eyes……again.
I thought it was clear: the guy with the beard is a terrorist. They just exploded a bomb at a wedding. When the brides finger blew off, the ring flew into the Volvo.
Sorry. Dumbest ad ever. Just tell me about the car. I don’t have time for a story line.
How the heck are we supposed to understand all of that by what we see in this commercial. Frankly, I don’t want to do research to find out what a commercial means. it was just starting to bug me because I was obviously supposed to get it. Complete the story or do a complete commercial.
it’s creepy.
While possible as explanation, I don’t think he actually got divorced or has marital problems considering he puts his ring back on his finger. A man playing with his ring is usually one that thinks about his own marriage and/or his wife, but not necessarily one with marital problems. The pat on his wife’s shoulder is nothing more but telling her that their daughter will now be on her own feet but that she’ll be ok and that they continue to have each other while their daughter will continue on on her own feet 🙂
Maybe after losing his first wife through divorce or death, and years of being alone….Could be the older guy is on his way to marry someone. Being driven by his best friend( male OR “female”)…and his groomsmen sons, also part of the wedding party. Not to forget or lose the wedding band, he slides it onto his finger. Listening to easy music in a smooth riding classy car.
I’ve just been thoroughly entertained reading all these supposed explanations. My husband and I can’t figure it out so I googled it. Lots of info. I say kudos to Volvo for making so many people trying to figure it out.
This commercial only makes sense from a politically correct Swedish perspective, where Muslims are the most revered group. Especially the journalists are militantly Islamophiliac in Sweden.
So in this context, it sends the perfect message of a blond Swedish woman marrying into a Muslim family.
Sorry, the commercial is still nonsensical… Yes, it makes one think/talk about the commercial not the product. The commercial confuses the viewer as to the meaning, and purpose, of the commercial/message and how that maps to the product (clearly doesn’t as they could have been driving a Chevy Vega Wagon or VW Bus). Yes, it tugs at the heart… so what? What’s really interesting is to read the millennial projections of their own parents onto the commercial – maybe that’s the success as clearly the commercial isn’t aimed at my generation as there’s no useful information on the product to be found.
Since when do we have to put so much thought into a commercial? Quite possibly the stupidest commercial EVER!
Awesome commercial
Beautiful music and incredible story
Well I like the commercial. Reminds me of a line in an old movie, ‘Volvo… The are boxy, but good’.
Anyway, I have no idea the cost of that Volvo, but Tony, the Camera guy is evidently well heeled, as the Digital Hasselblad camera ‘body’ is $45,000 then add the handle and put on a Zeus lens, will add just about another $8,000.
So the camera might be about the same as the car.
Awful ad
wrong from the beginning,muslims don’t allow women to drive, especially a white woman with no concealment. the ad has nothing to do with cars, rather it is a political statement & an attempt to see muslims in another light instead of cut-throat killers that they are in the name of religion.
This is the first commercial I’ve ever googled to find out it’s meaning. It was driving me nuts every time I saw it. There is no way anyone could have gotten all of it correct. There is so much to it now that I saw it, with many messages. I will say, when she turns the music on, quiet ride and the Dad’s smile was my favorite part. It was luxury in the drive for sure.
its OK but I hate dad’s little hipster beard and he drunk and cant drive…so he pats his wife on the shoulder like…its your job woman…I paid for this car……take me to my girlfriends house and out of this car with my gay son…………come on he’s a player LOL!
Who are all of the actors in this?
What does this have to do with a car? I’m confused.
They weren’t a gay couple, people. Why does everything hafta be “alternative”. The newlyweds(gay, or straight), wouldn’t be in the car with them, idiots. Son in seat next to dad. Probably best-man, up front with mother-of-the-bride. Jeesh!!
Great commercial that had the whole family (5 with 2 adult children). I thought that was his wife & great song. Love the commerical & thinking about buy a Volvo.
Father looks like a Muslim.. Wife a blonde.. typical jewish commercial trying to jam race mixing down our throat.. then throws in gay couple as well.. they make up 1.2% of population, but the jewish hollywood needs to make it look like its 50%.. disgusting
I would like to share my interpretation. The father (with the beard) originally wrote the speech about his gay son. His gay son got married (his wife was in the Volvo wearing a flower dress at a different venue) but the father did not attend (“you make mistakes”). Their daughter gets married, the father changes the speech (he scratched something out in his journal) and he realized he should have been there for his son and for his family. The car ride is after his daughter’s wedding with his wife, son and son-in-law in the car and he reflects on marriage (his own, his son’s and his daughter). I don’t think this has anything to do with SUVs or brands but I enjoyed the message that “love is not always enough but if you’ll make the decision to not give up on each other…” All in all pretty real.
im glad ive only seen a snippot. i just thinl the father is soooo handsome and looks good in a volvo.
This is a commercial about a Nob Hill woman who just got carjacked in the Whole Foods parking lot. The swarthy, greasy-looking San Francisco homeless geezer sitting behind the woman is holding a loaded pistol against the back of her seat, as he has just ordered her to drive. The other two gay hipster dudes are accomplices as they have just stolen a $40,000 Hasselblad camera from a Chinatown camera shop and are trying to escape. The bellyaching song that comes on is a lament, which also serves to foreshadow her untimely, horrific death and the unceremonious dumping of her dismembered body in a Pacifica Taco Bell dumpster. Announcer: “Your Volvo can’t protect you from everything but at least you will look cool before they come to chop you up. Volvo, because…umm yeah.”
I love this commercial. It has everyone talking about Volvo ad. What I really like about this is—it does focus on the vehicle inside and out and when was the last time you watched a car commercial that actually showed the car for longer then 3 seconds. Keep up the good work Volvo and those who want original and luxury Volvo.
I always thought this ad took place after a funeral or divorce proceedings. The bearded man is HOLDING AND PLAYING with a wedding band. Also, when the woman driving turns up the radio he touches her shoulder as if the song held some significant meaning. Who plays with a wedding band if they get married? Or better yet what groon leaves with a group of people?
Hi Trey–I think if you watch the entire video you will see it is a wedding, by the church and the photos in the camera. He is the father of the bride. And lots of men play with their wedding rings, start watching in movies, interviews etc. you will see it is done all the time.
crazy considering that this ad is trying to be so politically correct it’s sickening. is this commercial going to erase the fact the sweden has a problem with muslim men assimilating into the population. What about a rape epidemic happening there? Stop with this phoney nonsense I am so disgusted by Volvo trying to cover up a cultural epidemic that i will not be leasing one Keep your darn political nonsensical coverup to yourself. stop going out of your way to push your agenda on customers who just want a car
Wow dcdcdy, it’s l:41a.m. way to early to be that angry. I don’t see a political message at all. It’s just a car ad. Maybe I’m naive. If we all thought all advertisements had political messages there would be no advertising. Enjoy the ride—still a great car no matter what you think.
It’s obvious i guess i’m a little more analytical than you but frankly i don’t appreciate your personal attacks without any substance. Guess what i’m smart enough to get angry Maybe your a robot devoid of any thought process. it’s also obvious that you are a are blinded by ideology to cover up the reality of what is at play there. have a good day Helen seriously have a good day wish you well
Being analytical can be a good thing sometimes. But always looking for some hidden message. If you watch entire video they do go to a church for the wedding. If you think this is a personal attack, and then you go on to say things about me not knowing me–well in your mind does this make us even. I’m not blinded by ideology sometime you just have to sit back and enjoy the ride. I think that’s the point. I’m having a life time of good days.
To dcdcdy-just to let you know the name of the man playing the father is Ron Jack Foley, doesn’t sound to Muslim to me.
this version is not the one that is often on tv. this one is even worse lol. the other one has no sound and yes it is what it implies not what the actors names are. it’s stupid all around like you said it’s a great car. i say why get into all this political correct nonsense and political agenda with this one what the hec are they pushing -an agenda of gay marriage. great each to his own –but what the hec does this have to do with a car ?
Wait you got gay marriage out of this. No, no there are pics of the daughter in the camera in her wedding dress in the ad. Funny thru all this ad people are still talking about it and that was the point—talk about the Volvo ad— and isn’t that the point of advertising–the lasting advertisement.
Best commercial ever
This is the most confusing and idiotic commercial ever made and the sheeple who actually enjoy it are morons.
Way to much for a commercial.
Guess you’ll never drive a Volvo. Baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
These commercials have to be some of the worst ever. They show one part of the “story” over and over and then show another over and over. The last thing it makes me want to buy is that car! So annoying!
I love the ad.and am happy you are all discussing it. I am a VOLVO driver who owned three. They are comfortable and above all SAFE,
I sooooo despise the Volvo commercial where the obviously critically depressed Dad laments his daughters wedding. She didn’t die, man, she got hitched!!! Get the h@ll over it. Get some meds and stfu!
this is one of the most pretentious and ridiculous ads that I have ever seen.
The dad sitting in the car writing his ‘wedding speech’ and then begins to cry is just hilarious.
This ad annoys me so much that I had to google to see if I was the only one that wanted to kick the tv in when it comes on.
These commercials creep me out. Especially the spot at the lighthouse where they
guy can’t come to grips that his “little girl” id getting married! Creepy!
Apparently you last 3 comments have never had a daughter married. It is a very emotional time for the father, if they were close. The daughters are and will always be “Daddy’s Little Girls” I think it’s wonderful that there are still some men out there that are not afraid to cry and show emotion. And I love this ad—they actually show the car and all it’s features thru-out the ad. All other car adds seem to show the car going fast by on the screen. Volvo is all about comfort and the ride. And guess what people are still talking about the ad. Who can even tell us what the last other car ad was all about.
Barbara
We can’t stand this commercial. It’s extremely difficult to understand.
Find a new story line……..something a little lighter please
Do your shareholders a favor to sell this product.
This serial commercial is such complete BS, I’ll just not buy a fricking Volvo, which, by the way, has horrible ratings this year with Vonsumer Reports. Stick your commercial and your sh1tty car.
Dumb. . .
Look, the commercial is appealing because the actors portraying the wife/driver and the mysterious, distinguished gentleman in the back seat are so good. The chemistry between them is a step above the usual sales b.s..We want to know more about them. Does it make me want to buy a Volvo? Does ANY commercial make want something I wouldn’t otherwise? Of course not. It was enough that it made me ask the question, “What is the name of this product?”
I agree Ron-not too many commercials out there that make you ask the question, “What is the name of this product?”