Still attempting to obtain some semblance of insight into the Finnish nation through its film presentations, recently threw up this delight of which must be highly recommended as a simple, but, yes, just delightful, love-story of opposites attract, if only for being led by a superb affecting tour de force performance by the blonded* beautiful newcomer** Mimosa Wilmona (*previously was brunette! **Up and coming won own country's Oscar (the 'Jussi') in debut performance in 2015, supporting role in 'Headfirst (Pain Seinaa' ..) in the titular role.
Following the seeming standard Finnish storyline of late trope, of refugee / immigrant / outsider (foreigner!) meets Finnish dreariness (e.g. see 'East of Sweden') but enlivened with cut dry humour (e.g. see Kaurismaki: 'The Other Side of Hope') but with the redeeming renowned independent spirit of the Finn femme***, the tale unfolds in more or less standard 'will they or won't they' telling, but paced on its way to its predictable outcome with such affection, and even if still being predicated on the apparently de rigeuer Finnish plot-driving device of problem boozing (as always!)****, to still leave you unmistakably uplifted.
*** in this one's Finn femme respect, along the way you also get some associated Finnish female characterisations (young AND old!) along with requisite feminism takes, e.g. soon in with advice from heroine Aurora (Mimosa), which if not because apparently still needs so stating, as still not obvious, on how ALL women should - and should not be - treated, would otherwise be patronising to its menfolk audience. But presumably that's Finland with its potential boorish male mores needing reminding for them all there, I suppose. **** Although, now if the beau's from Iran, doesn't that mean he's likely - culturally, automatically - Muslim, by which means he's also likely, mandatorily, teetotal .. or am I just being 'religioustist'?!
This is a heartwarming simple love story of opposites attract with its painful sides leavened with some top laugh out loud moments in its telling - (check out the Mummi-mug 'mummo' fan scene; hilarious = thus, all kudos to (female!) Miia Tervo for her scripting, as well as directing, it, too.)
Following the seeming standard Finnish storyline of late trope, of refugee / immigrant / outsider (foreigner!) meets Finnish dreariness (e.g. see 'East of Sweden') but enlivened with cut dry humour (e.g. see Kaurismaki: 'The Other Side of Hope') but with the redeeming renowned independent spirit of the Finn femme***, the tale unfolds in more or less standard 'will they or won't they' telling, but paced on its way to its predictable outcome with such affection, and even if still being predicated on the apparently de rigeuer Finnish plot-driving device of problem boozing (as always!)****, to still leave you unmistakably uplifted.
*** in this one's Finn femme respect, along the way you also get some associated Finnish female characterisations (young AND old!) along with requisite feminism takes, e.g. soon in with advice from heroine Aurora (Mimosa), which if not because apparently still needs so stating, as still not obvious, on how ALL women should - and should not be - treated, would otherwise be patronising to its menfolk audience. But presumably that's Finland with its potential boorish male mores needing reminding for them all there, I suppose. **** Although, now if the beau's from Iran, doesn't that mean he's likely - culturally, automatically - Muslim, by which means he's also likely, mandatorily, teetotal .. or am I just being 'religioustist'?!
This is a heartwarming simple love story of opposites attract with its painful sides leavened with some top laugh out loud moments in its telling - (check out the Mummi-mug 'mummo' fan scene; hilarious = thus, all kudos to (female!) Miia Tervo for her scripting, as well as directing, it, too.)