Photo by Variance Films.
Oh, boy. Sometimes you can see the theory of a film while watching it without actually seeing the praxis.
This is exactly the case with “Fallen Leaves,” helmed by Aki Kaurismäki.
It was clear that Kaurismäki had something to say, and he was so close to saying it, but what resulted is a wobbly story that needs to be carried by abrupt humor and tragic character flaws. Spoiler alert: they definitely dropped the casket.
The film is meant to be a sweet love story of two lonely people who overcome obstacles to be together.
Ansa (Alma Pöysti) keeps getting shuffled from job to job by nearly cartoon-like circumstances. Her solace is the occasional drink with her friend, Tonja (Alina Tomnikov), and returning to her apartment to half-listen to news of the war on the radio.
In contrast, Holappa (Jussi Vatanen) job-hops to enable his alcoholism, routinely finding himself at the bars with his friend, Rauno (Martti Suosalo), and returning to his bunk to half-listen to news of the war on the radio.
Ansa and Holappa first see each other across the bar, but do not meet until a while later when the bar shuts down and Ansa finds herself once again without a job.
Then their quirky relationship begins, traipsing along like a gritty Finnish version of “Napoleon Dynamite.”
Usually, this would be the point where the audience roots on a couple that clearly has chemistry but is bombarded by obstacles.
Unfortunately, Ansa and Holappa have very little chemistry, barely even looking at each other (let alone speaking) on their dates—a fact that is further cemented when the characters point out that they don’t know each others’ names after the first date.
Perhaps this is meant for comic relief. Alternatively, it gives the vibe that these poor people are so lonely that they accept the first person who comes their way as a substitute for love. (Was that Kaurismäki’s intention? You decide.)
We get snippets of these characters’ backstories with the hope that their arcs will culminate in a satisfying way, but the story wraps up too easily for that satisfaction to fully be realized.
Overall, “Fallen Leaves” seems to have bones, but no flesh. But perhaps that is just a jaded critic’s take. Decide for yourself when the film comes to Midtown Cinema this December.
Midtown Cinema is located at 250 Reily St., Harrisburg. For more information, visit www.midtowncinema.com.
December Events At Midtown Cinema
December Film Openings
“Dream Scenario”
“Renaissance: A Film by Beyoncé”
Friday, Dec. 1
“The Boy and the Heron”
Friday, Dec. 8
“Fallen Leaves”
“Maestro”
Friday, Dec. 15
“The Color Purple”
“Ferrari”
Monday, Dec. 25
“Poor Things”
Friday, Dec. 29
Special Holiday Features
“It’s a Wonderful Life” (1946)
Sunday, Dec. 3 at 7 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 23 at 11:30 a.m.
Sunday, Dec. 24 & Tuesday, Dec. 26 at 7 p.m.
“White Christmas” (1954)
Sunday, Dec. 3 at 7:10 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 23 at 12 p.m.
Sunday, Dec. 24 & Monday, Dec. 25 at 7:10 p.m.
“Home Alone” (1990)
Sunday, Dec. 10 & Sunday, Dec. 17 at 7 p.m.
“National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” (1989)
Sunday, Dec. 10, Sunday, Dec. 17 & Tuesday, Dec. 19 at 7:15 p.m.
“Elf” (2003)
Sunday, Dec. 10 & Dec. 17 at 7:30 p.m.
“Die Hard” (1988)
Saturday, Dec. 16 & Friday Dec. 22 at 9:30 p.m.
Monday, Dec. 25 at 7:30 p.m.
Late Night Frights Series presents
“A Christmas Horror Story” (2015)
Friday, Dec. 1 at 9:30 p.m.
“Violent Night” (2022)
Saturday, Dec. 9 at 9:30 p.m.
Family Film Series presents
“The Nightmare Before Christmas” (1993)
Dec. 2, 9, 16, 23 & 24 at 11 a.m.
Sunday Docs Series presents
“I Am Santa Claus” (2014)
Sunday, Dec. 3 at 4 p.m.
Down in Front! comedy riffing presents
“Santa Claus Conquers the Martians” (1964)
Friday, Dec. 8 at 9:30 p.m.
3rd in the Burg Movie Night presents
“Gremlins” (1984)
Friday, Dec. 15 at 9:30 p.m.
Tuesday, Dec. 19 at 7:45 p.m.
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