Fallen Leaves may be set in 2024, but it’s a timeless saga that resonates far beyond ephemeral constraints. These emotions and struggles endure across any era. Finnish director and screenwriter Aki Kaurismäki (Le Havre) threatened to retire after The Other Side of Hope came out in 2017, but fortuitously, that didn’t happen. This is the Finnish submission for Best International Feature Film at this year’s Oscars. In certain circles, this picture is a huge deal.
The story is your classic Boy Meets Girl in the heart of a bleak vision of Helsinki. Ansa (Alma Pöysti) is a single woman toiling in a humble supermarket position. She crosses paths with Holappa (Jussi Vatanen), a construction worker with a penchant for alcohol. His drinking gets him fired from more than one job. Both harbor a sense of loneliness, etching deadpan expressions on their faces regardless of their emotional state. Their serendipitous meeting at a karaoke bar (on a highly eclectic night) sparks a journey of ongoing attempts to forge a relationship despite facing various hardships and misunderstandings.
This isn’t a movie about what happens, but in the way it’s told. The feeling transcends mere plot. Enjoying the picture is to cozy up to its mood and aesthetic. The movie’s ethereal quality is heightened by its contemporary setting. We hear haunting reports of the current war in Ukraine in the background. This efficient tale is enhanced by its concise runtime of just 1 hour and 20 minutes. Every moment is well-spent. The narrative presents various obstacles that befall Ansa and Holappa. This is a comedy; its humor is shaded with dark subtlety, which elicits laughs inspired by a dry wit. Their first date is to see Jim Jarmusch’s arty zombie flick, The Dead Don’t Die, and a random moviegoer exiting the screening comments, “Great film. Reminds me of Bresson’s Diary of a Country Priest.”
The fallen leaves are those who aren’t winning at the game of life. Yet, it always treats the complexities of unspoken feelings with an affection for our hapless couple. This a thought-provoking approach to showcasing two lonely souls in a tender romance. The chronicle builds towards a conclusion that teeters between tragedy and hilarity, dependent on the viewer’s perspective. Despite its modest $7 million global earnings, Fallen Leaves has garnered unanimous praise from critics, securing a place on numerous 2023 top 10 lists. It undeniably merits your attention for its evocative storytelling and distinctive charm. Now, excuse me while I “leaf” the theater with a smile on my face!
Fallen Leaves is now streaming on MUBI and still playing in a few select U.S. theaters.
01-06-24