"Fallen Leaves" -- Movie Review

 

At the close of the first weekend of the 61^st New York Film Festival, I attended a screening of the Finnish romantic comedy “Fallen Leaves”, directed by  Aki Kaurismäki.  

Synopsis

When two lonely people fail to connect due to a variety of circumstances, can they overcome each other’s shortcomings to finally become a couple?

Story

Helsinki residents Ansa (Alma Pöysti) and Holappa (Jussi Vatanen) have some things in common.  First of all, neither one of them is on the road to becoming a millionaire – she is a grocery story clerk and he is a laborer.  Holappa’s avocation is as a chain-smoker and an alcoholic.  Another thing they have in common is they are both single, have an attraction to each other and neither one can hold a job.  Ansa is fired from the grocery store when it’s discovered she took some expired food from the shelf; Holappa is let go from his job when it has been found out that he’s been drinking on the job. 

The two meet by accident one night at a local karaoke bar shortly after losing their respective job.  When Ansa finds employment at a pub where Holappa occasionally visits, she soon finds herself out of work when the place is shuttered by the police, who arrest the owner for drug trafficking.  Running into Holappa just as the cops arrive, he offers to take her out after getting a new job at a construction site.  They take in a movie that night, after which Ansa gives him her number in anticipation of another date – which never comes because the hapless Holappa somehow manages to lose the slip of paper on which it was written.

By happenstance, they run into each other again outside the same movie theater; she invites him to dinner at her place – but this time, when she gives him her address, Holappa makes sure to secure it so it won’t get lost this time.  Unfortunately, the dinner is not successful – they manage to get into a bit of a skirmish that night and he leaves.  Losing his construction job due to his drinking, Holappa winds up at a flophouse where he decides to quit alcohol; after calling Ansa to apologize and confess his sobriety, she once again invites him over – but when he fails to show up due to unforeseen circumstances, will they be able to overcome their various obstacles or remain forever alone?

Review

If it is possible to describe a romantic comedy as dysfunctional, then that perhaps is the best adjective to use to explain “Fallen Leaves” – but please don’t take that as a negative reaction.  Instead, it is appropriate to both the situation and the characters involved.  In spite of the flaws of the two people at the center of the story, you inevitably find yourself rooting for them to get together at the end, no matter the obstacles each other – and fate – put in their way.  Just as it is coincidence that keeps them apart, it is also coincidence that reunites them.  Of course, there's also Chaplin, who many believe steals the whole show.

Just about everything in “Fallen Leaves” is near perfect – the performances, the story, the production design, the soundtrack, you name it, it’s spot-on.  It’s easy to see why this film has been so openly embraced by many who’ve seen it because it really hits deep down to the human condition and the sense of loneliness and isolation some feel (in this case, due to socioeconomic conditions).  The lesson from the movie seems to be, “If you’re looking for a soul mate, be willing to overlook the flaws in others so that they are empowered to overlook your own flaws”.  If true, this may be a very valuable insight considering modern times.

Although this film was originally screened in October during the Film Festival, another viewing was recently attended because of its official release and the availability of its stars for a post-screening interview.  Alma Pöysti said that she was invited to lunch by director Aki Kaurismäki, who offered her the role; Jussi Vatanen was also invited to that same lunch where he was offered his role, too.  He said that at that time, Kaurismäki only had a vague idea of what the story would be and they did not get an actual script until about a year later.  The director told them both that there would not be any rehearsal, which proved to be something of a challenge for the two actors.