The Man without a Past

Title: Mies Vailla Menneisyyttä (The Man without a Past)
Rating: 4/5
Genre: Comedy/Drama
Starring: Markku Peltola, Kati Otinen
Director: Aki Kaurismäki
Language: Finnish

A new wanderer in town, holding everything he has with him, falls asleep in a park only to be beaten to a pulp by hoodlums. He enters a hospital, the doctors believe he died, they leave him, he awakes finding that he has no memory of himself, he instantly gets out unnoticed and passes out near a cost line. He is found by a couple, among the people living in containers in that area, and is offered help until he gets his balance back. Describing the plot is pretty silly. Basically there isn't much to add, but what makes this film a powerful and enjoyable film to watch is that it easily enters the heart. There is no over-dramatizing yet we will be touched by the sadness and sorrow showing on "M's" (Peltola) face, there's no attempt to make us fall on the floor from laughter yet we will get some good laughs from what we interpret, and there isn't any superficial attempt in trying to increase the hype of the film. It is not a mystery film exploring the depth of human psychology of memory; "Aki" presents us with the story that with its simple aesthetics we feel attached to its charm.

"Otinen" plays "Irma", an officer in the Salvation Army whom "M" meets and falls in love with. Watching these two was a delight. Although they aren't young, we can feel the innocence as their relation grows, as if they returned young again. The dinner scene with him trying to do a nice cooking and gentling the atmosphere was thoroughly enjoyable. There is neither overacting nor under acting, we notice a natural chemistry between these two. For a comedy, no one expect ready to go laughs and in your face humor. The film is simple, I won't object to that, yet we have thought about what's happening to get the film's view. But why would we enjoy such a film? Why would we enjoy such a type of humor? It’s the journey of watching "M" builds his life from utter misery and nothingness makes it all worth our while. The scene where he goes to an employment agency is heart rendering, just the look on his face tells us this man had a painful trip, and what's more painful is that it's hidden, even hidden from himself.

"Aki", who also produced and wrote the film, brings us one of those films that send a really strong message without saying much. Just leaving the camera at "M's" or "Irna's" face as we see their expressions, or even creating some situations that would rather seem silly if done in another film by another director, such as the "fight" near the end of the film. "Aki" was good in not over killing the film, for example the people who helped aim in the beginning were kind, nothing more, and nothing less. We didn't see an unrealistic representation of human virtue. The characters he created, although funny at many parts of the film, don't five much of smiles. We see them nod sadly more than happily. My two biggest objections to this film are the rather slow advancement, and some intended humor that I didn't see very fitting to the film's techniques at some moments. When we reach the end, we know it's worth the wait, but at some moments we feel the film is stalling a bit. This isn't one of those issues that would completely ruin the film, but they can be like those annoying flies that seem to refuse to move away.

This is a droll and sincere film. Maybe the unfamiliar style would make it silly at first; however it easily enters the heart. I like a director who knows well what he/she has, and utilizes them well. We will smile and we will frown. This is more of an odd-ball that isn't too risky and we won't feel heavy burden from watching it. We will feel pleased after watching it. The revelation is pleasant and it won't hit us in the face. This is a choice for those seeking to expand their film knowledge. It has its flaws, yet we won't feel menaced by them. The film is a good mix of sadness and joy, something not many films are capable of doing.

Trailer