The Man Without a Past (2002)
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The Man Without a Past Movie Review
The Man Without a Past is a 2002 Finnish comedy film directed by Aki Kaurismaki and starring Markku Peitola and Kati Outinen. It’s such a terrific movie.
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“If you ever find me face down in the gutter,
turn me around to my back“
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Arriving in Helsinki, a nameless man is beaten within an inch of his life by thugs, miraculously recovering only to find that he has completely lost his memory. Back on the streets, he attempts to begin again from zero, befriending a moody dog and becoming besotted with a Salvation Army volunteer. When the movie started, it took me quite a while to get acclimated to its odd tone and even stranger characters, but once I did, I came to fully appreciate what Kaurismaki created here.
Who would have thought that Finnish people can be this funny? Well, this movie presents the case that, yes, they can be. In fact, the director here actually commented on the typical Finnish personality by making fun of it. Apparently, the Finns have this standoffish, quiet personalities where they talk very little, and when they do, they usually have something important to say.
And that is this movie in a nutshell – it is very slow in pacing and very minimalist in dialogue, but that is also what made it humorous as when characters eventually did speak in that monotone, matter-of-fact manner, it was undoubtedly hilarious. The deadpan delivery here is fantastic. It is a rare comedy that is sophisticated without forgetting to be funny and irreverent while also having a lot to say about the poverty in some parts of Helsinki.
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Yes, The Man Without a Past offers a potent mixture of tragedy and comedy. This type of mixture is very relatable to me as my home country produced many similar movies in the past. But the difference here is again in that deadpan delivery. The droll dialogue is so strong and the acting is terrific across the board. Kati Outinen is wonderful as this very weird woman while Markku Peitola delivered one funny yet touching performance as the amnesiac protagonist of the picture.
There are two sequence that are the clear standouts. One is centered around this criminal who threatens the protagonist with his “tough” dog, but the dog is beyond timid, which was absolutely hilarious. He would even go on to develop a kinship with that supposedly dangerous dog. Another incredible scene is the bank robbing one. This bank turns out to not have a security camera or even an alarm, making for very easy work for the robber.
And in there lies the prime strength of this comedy – it sheds light on poverty and lack of resources within some areas of Helsinki while still making light of these serious issues in one truly brilliant mixture. Couple that with strong cinematography, a fittingly old-fashioned soundtrack (though overwhelmingly used at times) and a memorable cast of strange personalities and you’ve got a winning movie that is one of the best in the history of Finnish cinema.
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Who knew Finnish people could be this funny? The Man Without a Past is definitely one of this country’s greatest movies and an essential watch. Aki Kaurismaki here presented a potent mixture of serious issues (poverty, living on the fringes of society) and making light of those situations through really well delivered deadpan humor that consistently worked. It takes a time to get acclimated to this movie’s strange world and its odd cast of characters, but when you do, it will undoubtedly prove to be a funny, touching and impactful viewing experience.
My Rating – 4.5
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