Written by: Aki Kaurismäki
Starring: Alma Pöysti, Jussi Vatanen, Janne Hyytiäinen, Nuppu Koivu, Sherwan Haji
Rating: [3/5]
Romance films generally imbue a distinct passion into the story as a fervor builds and becomes unquenchable for the characters involved. A desire to come together that makes the audience yearn for a happy ending between the pair. This remains a central tenet of this genre, which Fallen Leaves attempts to display in a more unique manner. One that does not make for the greatest film but yet is one with plenty to appreciate.
Both with not much going on for themselves, Ansa (Alma Pöysti) and Holappa (Jussi Vatanen) meet one night at a karaoke bar. As they begin to build an affection for the other, Ansa gives Holappa her number and wishes for him to call her. Unfortunately, after the note with the number flies away, he must find another way to reconnect with her as Ansa awaits his call.
When reading the plot synopsis of the film, you would think this had the makings of a romantic comedy. There’s an innate silliness to the idea of Ansa opting not to share her name with Holappa following their first date, and she shares that she will tell him after he calls, only for him to lose the slip of paper. Therefore, he does not have her number, nor does he even know her name, which makes finding her in Helsinki quite the difficult proposition. It’s the type of hijinks that made me think of Serendipity, but the two films could not be further apart in their tone and general demeanor of the characters.
The conversations held in Fallen Leaves carry this dry sense of humor that, I presume, provides some insight on how the Finns communicate with one another. There’s something quite unique about this where they say things that generally are quite humorous, but its delivery comes across in a cold manner that I suppose matches the temperature they experience in the Nordic region. It’s what makes a film like this one stand out, as these moments of humor consistently peak out all the while Ansa and Holappa battle with real-world problems both personally and ecnonoically.
Both of our lead characters work jobs that do not necessarily bring them any real fulfillment, with Ansa as a shelf stocker at a grocery store and Holappa as a sandblaster. Jobs that pay the bills but the issues they face within the workplace highlight their current economical standing, which makes the possibility of them finding each other again all the more appealing. Each have their moral failings according to their workplace that leave them in a place where they’re two souls wandering around looking for something. That something, the film posits, should be each other.
The filmmaking on display exhibits such a visual presentation that clashes with itself in a good way. The cinematography gives this film the aesthetic of something before the current time that gives it this classical feel to it, but Aki Kaurismäki makes it explicitly clear this film exists in our current time. From the radar blasting news of the Ukraine war to the fact their initial date is them watching The Dead Don’t Die in theaters. Quite the dichotomy, and one that works because of the type of timeless tale at the core of this film. No matter what era these characters live in, they will deal with economic woes and a sense of loneliness, but having it take place now, in an era where connectivity should be as seamless as ever, they have a hard time finding each other. This component of the film is its peak and the very best it has to offer.
Coming in at a brisk runtime, Fallen Leaves gets in and out with its enjoyable little story. It displays a universality in its themes and a longing for individuals for genuine human connection but does it in a very Finnish manner. There’s not an abundance of passion on display and a distinct dryness to the way the characters interact, but it certainly leaves an impression. Alma Pöysti and Jussi Vatanen both impress in their portrayal of Ansa and Holappa, respectively. This being my first Aki Kaurismäki, it intrigues me to see more of what he has crafted and to more films from Finland.
