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In Theaters Now
- 2023
- 1 h 21 m
- 2023
- 1 h 21 m
Summary In modern-day Helsinki, two lonely souls (Alma Pöysti and Jussi Vatanen) in search of their first love meet by chance in a local karaoke bar. However, the pair’s path to happiness is beset by numerous obstacles – from lost phone numbers to mistaken addresses, alcoholism, and a charming stray dog.
Directed By: Aki Kaurismäki
Written By: Aki Kaurismäki
In Theaters Now
- 2023
- 1 h 21 m
- 2023
- 1 h 21 m
Fallen Leaves
7.9
Where to Watch
Summary In modern-day Helsinki, two lonely souls (Alma Pöysti and Jussi Vatanen) in search of their first love meet by chance in a local karaoke bar. However, the pair’s path to happiness is beset by numerous obstacles – from lost phone numbers to mistaken addresses, alcoholism, and a charming stray dog.
Directed By: Aki Kaurismäki
Written By: Aki Kaurismäki
Where to Watch
Top Cast
Metascore
Universal Acclaim
Based on 29 Critic Reviews
86
100% Positive
29 Reviews
29 Reviews
0% Mixed
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
Metascore
Universal Acclaim
Based on 29 Critic Reviews
86
100% Positive
29 Reviews
29 Reviews
0% Mixed
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
The same droll humour and keen social awareness that have defined [Kaurismaki's] work since Leningrad Cowboys Go America, in 1989, are now put in service of a lovely, star-crossed romance.
Fallen Leaves is the best big-screen romance of the year even though its prospective lovers exchange only a handful of words and, for most of the film, don’t know each other’s names.
User Score
Generally Favorable
Based on 8 User Ratings
7.9
75% Positive
6 Ratings
6 Ratings
13% Mixed
1 Rating
1 Rating
13% Negative
1 Rating
1 Rating
User Score
Generally Favorable
Based on 8 User Ratings
7.9
75% Positive
6 Ratings
6 Ratings
13% Mixed
1 Rating
1 Rating
13% Negative
1 Rating
1 Rating
incrivel a direçao e muito boa a historia e emocionante vai levar varios premios sem duvidas
Report
Sometimes a movie reaches the unreachable in us, not because it’s a grand masterpiece but because it’s as quiet and intimate as air.
Throughout, Kaurismäki shows his usual complete control of a delicate tone that could easily go awry if it didn’t work so well.
Fallen Leaves, though no radical departure for its maker nor a landmark of its medium, reminds us of a singular artistic personality, still vibrant after all these years. In a world of disasters large and small, surely that counts as consolation.
Fallen Leaves is another of Kaurismäki’s beguiling and delightful cinephile comedies, featuring foot-tapping rock’n’roll. It’s romantic and sweet-natured, in a deadpan style that in no way undermines or ironises the emotions involved and with some sharp things to say about contemporary politics.
As always, Aki Kaurismäki takes deadpan comedy to the limit with 'Fallen Leaves,' a beautiful film that, through two hapless people in search of relief, meditates on the meaning of happiness for the working class. Although the film presents Kaurismäki's characteristic humor, it's also impregnated with perpetual sorrow, which is felt through the news about the war that can be heard on the radio, the oppression of capitalism, and the poor working conditions. But in the end, Kaurismäki offers hope for his protagonists and cinephiles searching for a moment of solace.
Report
Great dry laughter in beautiful minimalist. A truly satirical European rom-com masterpiece by Aki Kaurismäki.
Report
It’s not much of a secret that the worldview of Finnish society can be more than a little bleak. At the same time, though, it also possesses an understatedly campy, eminently whimsical quality that comes in stark contrast to this otherwise-dour outlook. And this makes for a combination of traits that can be somewhat puzzling to fathom, especially to outsiders. That’s the quirky social conundrum that writer-director Aki Kaurismäki seeks to capture in his latest offering, a wry comedy-drama focused on the lives of two lonely, lovelorn working class Helsinki residents (Alma Pöysti, Jussi Vatanen) who struggle against life’s hiccups while seeking to forge a romance. But, in telling their story, the filmmaker has difficulty finding sufficient traction to engage viewers. We witness a story full of modest, garden variety ups and downs, as well as more than a few miscommunications, experiences we’ve all no doubt undergone ourselves from time to time. However, is that enough to make a compelling picture? It certainly doesn’t feel that way much of the time, given its wooden dialogue and restrained, sometimes-stilted performances, no matter how pointedly this production may portray the nature of this extraordinarily reserved people. To its credit, the film works best when it pokes fun at the nature of Finnish culture, providing some delicious nuggets of droll humor, backed by a diverse yet spot-on soundtrack that fittingly and ironically complements what’s unfolding on screen. Nevertheless, there’s so much here that lends so little to a narrative that just never catches fire that it’s hard to imagine almost anyone generating any interest in, or enthusiasm for, the protagonists and their feeble attempts at launching a relationship. Maybe I’m missing something here, but, if there is something meaningful that this release is trying to convey, it’s apparently well buried under one of those big piles of fallen leaves that give this picture its title.
Report
Awards
Golden Globes, USA
• 2 Nominations
European Film Awards
• 5 Nominations
Cannes Film Festival
• 1 Win & 2 Nominations
