You wouldn't expect a romantic comedy to so sharply divide audience's but, Aki Kaurismäki's Fallen Leaves (2023) has done just that. The film focuses on Ansa, a down on her luck zero-hour worker and her relationship with the drunk and depressed Holappa. After meeting in a karaoke bar, we watch the two attempt to build a relationship through a series of dates whilst overcoming (some rather absurd) life events along the way. The dialogue is short and concise with the exception of Janne Hyytiäinen who plays Huotari, Holappa's friend and emotional anchor. He spends much of his time encouraging his friend to engage with life much to no avail. Holappa himself being a sort of Prufrock, either unable or unwilling to accept the risk that comes with living. The melancholy mood is also highlighted by the constant news updates about the Ukranian conflict. Juxtaposing real life events with this tragicomic love story grounds the narrative in a nice way. These characters feel remarkably real, living life, depressed, drinking, and in unfortunate situations. The only true transformative quality Kaurismäki's film is love, Ansa and Holappa's, her co-workers, Houtari, and even Chaplin the dog. While these emotionally detached characters may not have resonated with audiences the way they did with critics, this movie is one you'll want to see.
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