The big picture
- Fallen Leaves is a 2023 Finnish romantic comedy film with a score of 98% on Rotten Tomatoes.
- Directed by Aki Kaurismäki, the film explores the unlikely romance between two down-on-their-luck individuals, Ansa and Holappa.
- The film's dark themes are balanced with humor, and its minimalist visual style, music and the resilience of the protagonists contribute to its unique and uplifting love story.
“Opposites attract” is a line that is often thrown around in the face of romance. But what Yes Is true romance actually between birds of a feather, despite their circumstances? In fallen leaves, a 2023 Finnish rom-com with a 98% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, is the quirky love between two kindred spirits, both down on their luck and a little worse for wear, that carries the day. Like broken pieces fitting together, the protagonists of this film directed by the Finnish master of melancholy Aki Kaurismäki (who canceled his retirement to make the film), find solace in their shared struggles. fallen leaves it's not a glossy romantic comedy about grand gestures, but one that is laden with dark themes like alcoholism, unemployment and devastation, but their unlikely romance is surprisingly uplifting. To achieve this well-being effect, fallen leaves he uses humor to offer an indulgent, with clever writing that maximizes its minimal dialogue and the absurd situations created by its outlandish characters. The only normal thing about their romance is their weird characters who play normal people.
What is “Fallen Leaves” about?
loop (Alma Pöysti) and Holappa (Jussi Vatanen) are two extremely lonely people in the current capital of Finland, Helsinki. However, the general look of the film, including the absence of technological assets such as mobile phones and its harsh environment, could also place it in the post-war 1950s or so. Ansa is left alone in a small apartment she inherited from her godmother, causing Holappa to mock her for being an “heiress”. perhaps the luckiest thing that has happened in his life. He works in a supermarket with a bad contract, packing and organizing products for sale. He is on the supermarket's security radar, having been seen handing out food scraps believed to have been purchased from the supermarket to poor and homeless people. As she wraps up work to go home, she is stopped by her boss, who inspects her purse and fires her after she finds an old sandwich that she takes home for dinner. His already difficult world gets worse as he now has to look for another job.
Ansa's soul mate (she doesn't know it yet) is Holappa, who is equally underpaid working in abrasive blasting. Although he is an expert at his job, it bothers him and he believes that one day he might kill him. He drinks at work, and any other time he can find because he's depressed. Ansa and Holappa's chance meeting comes at a local karaoke event where, although they don't speak to each other, they hit it off immediately. They run into each other again, and this time, Ansa's problems have just doubled as her new boss has been arrested for drug trafficking, leaving her out of a job again. Holappa buys him coffee and then they watch The dead don't die, which they both enjoy. After a successful date, Ansa hands Holappa her phone number on a piece of paper, but Holappa inadvertently loses it while pulling a pack of cigarettes from his pockets. Without knowing each other's name and without any other way to locate each other, both languished in their longing. But fate hears their plight and they reconnect. fallen leaves explores beyond its awkward and slightly sweet romance, juxtaposing its dark themes with offbeat humor that makes it an enjoyable tragicomedy.
'Fallen leaves' offers a different love story
Romantic comedies often feature a series of whimsical, serendipitous events that lead to a happily ever after, but no. fallen leaves. Ansa and Holappa's romance is a journey through adversity and emotional resilience. Theirs is a love built out of shared tragic circumstances and yet a comfortable ease in the presence of others. This bond is further strengthened by his honesty and openness about it. Although this creates differences along the way, it ultimately sustains their relationship. From the start, Ansa is upfront about her dire financial situation, and Holappa doesn't pretend about his, either. He offers to buy her coffee and take her to the movies on their first date, and they both understand the sacrifice she's made to make this happen. Living with his friend Huotari (Janne Hyytiäinen) in a dingy shared single room, he is mesmerized by Ansa's small apartment, although he cannot contain his distaste for her narrow bed. Their bond is forged through mutual empathy and understanding of each other's difficulties.
fallen leaves nor does it rely on external conflicts or misunderstandings to drive the plot; rather, the obstacles in Ansa and Holappa's relationship are deeply internal. Both are unaware of their new situation. Holappa considers himself a tough guy, telling Huotari that guys like him don't go to karaoke events. He doesn't consider himself vulnerable to falling in love, but he does when he meets his match in Ansa. At first he's hesitant to embrace this new side of him, even walking out on Ansa, but eventually he does. His alcoholism is taking its toll on him as he struggles to hold down a job. Ansa, on the other hand, is haunted by a dark past that swallowed up her loved ones and fears that she might catch up with her new love interest, Holappa. They must overcome these internal conflicts to give themselves fully to each other. fallen leaves It stands out from typical rom-coms that often incorporate outside misunderstandings such as cheating and family influences to advance their plot.
“Fallen Leaves” combines a unique artistic vision with humor to create a tragicomedy masterpiece
The script, also written by Kaurismäki, masterfully mixes humor and heart. The dialogue is minimal, crisp and witty, focused on revealing insights into the characters' lives. For example, when Ansa visits Holappa in the hospital, she claims to be her sister to gain access. When asked for her name, she improvises: “I am his sister in the faith.” Next to him in the room, he creates a fictitious football story that tells him that his Finnish football team has qualified for the World Cup finals and that all the bookmakers' bets favor Finland against the giants Brazil. But Kaurismäki doesn't always use dialogue to create humor. Some of it is created from the quirks of the characters and the situations they find themselves in, especially their missteps, such as Holappa drinking all his wine at the dinner table in one go and finally running out to look for his bottle of liquor. Like this, fallen leaves offers humor that is both situational and character driven.
Aki Kaurismäki's direction enhances the film's narrative. He uses muted colors and stark lighting to accentuate the peacefulness of the film while reflecting on the emotional states of the characters. The film's minimalist visual style also aligns with its dark themes, as it parodies the characters' minimalist lives. Complementing this unique visual style, fallen leaves he uses music to give voice to his themes, with lyrics from some of the songs used to tell the story. As Holappa drinks his bottle alone in a bar, the lyrics of the music read, “I was born with sorrows, clothed in disillusionment,” to show the depth of his depression.
The protagonists of 'Fallen leaves' illuminate their dark themes
soul from Pöysti Ansa and Jussi Vatanen Holappa brings a unique glow fallen leaves' otherwise dark themes. Their romance is one of understated resilience and hope against personal struggles. In their seemingly bleak circumstances, their unlikely romance offers some optimism. Despite her desperate state, Ansa adopts a vulnerable stray dog. Her kindness, warmth, and determination, along with Holappa's transformation from a “lone wolf” to a man ready to mate, offers not only potential for personal redemption, but contrasts sharply with their bleak lives. Their human connection balances the film's darker elements.
Their chemistry, along with their shared experiences, elevates the film's emotional depth. Even when they are not together, they both loathe the sounds of war being reported on their radios over the neighboring conflict between Russia and Ukraine. On screen together, their interactions are full of subtleties and genuine emotions. Their honesty with each other in this regard is a beacon of light. Their connection speaks to the power of ordinary love to overcome adversity.
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“Keep it in the family.”
fallen leaves it's a movie that had to be made, cementing Aki Kaurismäki's legacy of mixing humor and heartache in a way that deeply resonates with audiences. Kaurismäki's films are known for hard-fought human connections, and fallen leaves is not an exception. It is a worthy addition to his previous works as it is now The man without a past i Le Havre. For his unique vision of cinema, fallen leaves it won big at the Cannes Film Festival and won the coveted Jury Prize. For those looking for a romantic comedy that transcends conventional storytelling, fallen leaves offers a refreshing and heartwarming narrative, arguing that even in the darkest of times, love and hope can flourish.
fallen leaves is available for streaming on Mubi in the US
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