The Girl King (2015) Sweden, Finland, Germany, France, Canada

Caught between the national duty and a personal affair.

Genre:

Biography, Drama, History, Romance.

Length:

Approximately 6-minute read.


Review:
     A biographical film set in the 17th century about the queen of Sweden. If a film was made based on the real means it has to be something very important thing to tell us like about the person or the historical events surrounding that person. It is a good film to learn the history of that part of the world if you do not belong there, and even for the natives with less knowledge about it. Multi-nationally produced film with a decent cast and production in the English language despite a Scandinavian tale.

     Besides, it is also a lesbian theme and one of the oldest real account I have seen in a film. Even today, not the whole world accepts it with the open arm. So on that perspective, I was curious about the film. Not to know how the film was made, but how they are, the real people dealt with such sexual concept in those days. Particularly, how the people around reacted to it. On that topic, the narration was not explicit. That means watching it expecting one of the best among its kind is a disappointment. But the film offers more from other angles of importance.

     After her father's death, the young Kristina was trained all her childhood to be the next ruler of the Sweden. When she came of age to take the crown, her aim is to mark the presence of Sweden all over the Europe. She's a fine sword woman, but also very interested in philosophy and art. But she has never been so confused as one day when she felt something for a woman in her court. She begins to learn more about it from an expert and on the other side, her duty to the nation and its people seems not getting better. How the fate of Sweden and her personal life collides covered in the remaining parts.

 I know how to set a bear trap, how to clean a musket, but I don't know how to place my lips on yours. 

     The film was not received well. Critically failed, but it was not that bad if you ask me. Yes, it was boring in parts, due to lack of progression. There's lots of things happened in the story, yet seems was not enough to impress its viewers. Especially switching between national duty and personal affairs strongly collides. Thus leaving both the subjects behind half baked. The real events took place for decades was put into a hundred minutes film did not justify. It's particularly about picking the right story segment to add in the screenplay and the some of the parts looked fine, but not the overall film.

     On the other hand, some people might find it a propaganda. Protestants, Roman Catholic, I don't know which way it leans, but started with one way and ended with another. So it could be the end that counts. On the humanitarian ground, morally, all looked fine to me. So if that's what made this film to become prey, then it's a totally wrongly judged. Otherwise the film is acceptable for being a biopic, telling the truth. Of all the kings and queen of the world we learnt about, Kristina is different and one should know about her for that. I feel she was very modern and modern in the wrong century.

     Born in the royal family, had all the power, it's very sad how her fate has changed at the end. But that's not the end of her tale. There's more to reveal, though this film covered only that takes place in the Sweden and being the ruler. I'll be happy if a sequel was made to tell her latter life and self-discovery. I'm sure it would be more a philosophical, but some people might raise the voice propaganda. Since this flick did not do well, that's not going to happen, I guess.

     One of the reasons I wanted to watch it was Sarah Gadon. She was in one of the main roles, but had a less preference. The other actress was really good and she was almost in every frame of the film. It might not be the best film to represent the LGBT, but it had its share and definitely a decent film from all the other angles. Should have been better, that's what those who saw it would say and so am I. Once watchable, but it does not have quality to I say the word, recommended!



Suitable for:
Tween, Teen, Adult, All


Final verdict:
Ignore, Bad, Average, Good, Excellent


Similar movies:
The Young Victoria, The Other Boleyn Girl, Belle, Marie Antoinette, Becoming Jane.


External link(s):

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Little Wing (2016) Finland

When one parent's failing, the kid needs another.

Original title:

Tittö Nimeltä Varpu (Finnish)

Genre:

Drama.

Length:

Approximately 6-minute read.


Review:
     This is the second Finnish film for me in a week. '...Olli Maki' was a sport-biopic, but this one is a simple fictional drama. All woman team, watching it on the occasion around Women's day make it a special. The story was not impressive enough. Lacks the originality, but overall decently made film.

     A coming-of-age theme that tells about Varpu who just turned 12. She lives with her mother, who is a character of underage. There's nothing bad about her, but she feels the world is a very complicated place and complaints a lot like a tween for even small small things.

     Since the Varpu is growing up fast, thinks her mother is failing to handle a girl like her age. So that leads her to look for her dad who she had never seen before. A little adventure on that, followed by issues surrounding it, how she overcomes and put her life back one track are the remaining parts to reveal us.

     Anybody who had seen the handsome of films in their life would think this film is just okay. That's true, yet I won't say it was a bad attempt. In fact, in some of the parts, the story won't advance as you think. The writing was neat, except lags a bit often, but that did not cause any annoyance.

     The entire story was told from a teenager's perspective, yet very matured from the contents wise. Like the tough decision to venture is to clear the doubts once and for all. What she discovered did not surprise as that's how her life had been so far. She's been with her mother all her life, so it was particularly to learn about her father.

 She was so sweet and wise right from the start. Now she's dying or suffering somewhere, because I'm so retarded. 

     There's no way the film could have been better than this. Because the message was nicely conveyed. Altering that would have given a different film, which is not the notion, I believe. Especially a girl who discovers what her parents truly are, I mean their capacity. Clearly her life begins onwards to be an adult in early age.

     The casting was so good. The three looked like an average real family. It was done without much hype. Like, you know, the mystery of dad was solved after some dramatic twist, but everything was kept within the limits. Especially most of the viewers would be looking for the Varpu's driving skill which they think could influence to bring a twist in the tale. But what follows is a twist to our anticipation. By the way the girl was excellent. I think she will be a fine actress.

     The cliches were not overused, instead it was used to shape up the story in its diversions. Whenever the narration reached its dead end, the following events quickly hops on a new path with fresh developments. This happened, particularly on two major occasions in which the first was after finding her dad and the next was after knowing his true identity.

     At that point, the film was almost done narrating the tale. Only finishing touch with little explanation was given on a few things. It is a good conclusion and quite enjoyable overall film. So I think the film's not for everyone. This is especially for those watches with admiration like with enthusiasm than those who watch it for no reason and interest. In simple words, for film fanatics and family audience. I said lots of positives, so you might think I would recommend it highly, but I won't. Instead, semi-recommended for overall readers.



Suitable for:
Tween, Teen, Adult, All


Final verdict:
Ignore, Bad, Average, Good, Excellent


Similar movies:
The Confirmation, St Vincent, The Way Way Back, Dirty Girl, The Kid With a Bike.


External link(s):

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The Happiest Day in the Life of Olli Maki (2016) Finland

Falling in love and rising in boxing!

Original title:

Hymyileva mies (Finnish)

Genre:

Biography, Drama, Romance, Sport.

Length:

Approximately 6-minute read.


Review:
     This is a Finnish sport-biopic that was an official submission for the 2017 Oscars, but did not make it. Despite inspired by a real person, the film only focused on one event, a big event of his life. Sets in the early 60s, the country's one of the biggest sporting event is about to take place. So the pre-event incidents, including the preparation and all those related affairs were detailed in this film.

     It's hard to say that everybody would end up liking it. Especially the sport segment. That's a major drawback of the film, but the other way around this is still very good. Only if you are okay with the facts over entertainment. So as I'm who already saw the film want to give a piece of advice for those who are yet to see it that watch it as a romance film. Yep, it is a better romance film than a boxing film. That's not how the pre developments swings, but it gets there a little late and then ends with an unexpected twist.

     An amateur boxer Olli Maki got a shot at pro boxing, so he's heading Helsinki and making preparation to face the strongest opponent coming from the United States. Not just for him, but for the whole country, it is a historical event. So the pressure is on Olli's team to make the right progress, especially to please their sponsors. Seems it was a smooth ride, until Olli find himself in an unwanted distraction, particularly at that time which is a turning point in his professional life. This is the flavour of romance and the boxing, can those two go along? Is what the remaining film carefully revealed.

 This is the shittiest moment to fall in love. 

     Like any sports films we had seen, this film as well all about pre event hype and the final act is given to the grand finale on the ring. Looks 'Cutie and the Boxer' should have been a perfect title, but this is nothing like that documentary film. It was not Olli's whole life, it was his falling and rising. Falling in love and rising to be a great boxer in Finland. But the problem is, both the things happening on the same time. More like romance versus profession. It's off the ring battle for Olli and can he win it, followed by a real battle.

    Now you would remember other awesome boxing films where love story and boxing had met like 'Rocky', 'Cinderella Man' and many more. This film is not comparable with them, that's the saddest part of it. It's a black and white film, and the filmmakers say that's because to take us 60 years back to Finland. They used film rolls like the old way of filmmaking. Indeed, it worked, it was the backbone of the film along the great cast. There are many characters, but revolved around only 3-4. The dialogues were minimised and let the pictures talk.

     The good news it was a 90 minute film with a decent pace. The one who played Olli was really good, but even in little lesser than that role, Raija enchants us. I can't forget that smile, it still appears front my eyes. Not just Olli, you might as well fall for her (at least for the actress who player that character). I also come to know the real couple's cameo for a brief was in the final scene. This is not the finest Finnish film I've seen, but I respect biopics as they tell the truth. It seems a better film for the older and matured guys, like above 30-35. But stay away if you are looking for a pleasure.



Suitable for:
Tween, Teen, Adult, All


Final verdict:
Ignore, Bad, Average, Good, Excellent


Similar movies:
Wolf, Southpaw, The Cinderella Man, Rocky, Hands of Stone, Raging Bull, The Fighter.


External link(s):

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The Fencer (2015) Estonia, Finland

Looking for a new start while the past is on the tail.

Original title:

Miekkailija (Finnish)
Vehkleja (Estonian)

Genre:

Biography, Drama, History, Sport.

Length:

Approximately 4-minute read.


Review:
     The 2016's Golden Globe nominee and also Finland's submission for the Oscars in the same year, but failed to get into the final five. Produced by the Baltic nations that set in when Estonia was a part of the USSR in the early 50s. It chronicles the story of Endel Nelis, a man who's on the run arrives in a small town called Haapsalu to teach the school children sports.

     As his life is in danger, he intends to keep a low profile for a while. But seems everything is turning around him against him when he decides to teach his students fencing. It brings a large attention to the surroundings. Then comes a time where he must confront what he's hiding from which brings an end to the narration with little extended end part that reveals further details about the later event.

 It's good to have them focus on something, keep them occupied. It takes their mind off things. 

     This is a very short story, but somehow the movie managed to run for the 90 minutes with a good pace. It did not cover the entire life story of Endel Nelis, but a small slice. So you definitely feel desperate to know about his past, but this film does not compromise on that. It has a great background score, and overall it is a very inspiring movie.

     The actors were so simple, but very good in their parts. Other than the lead character Endel, the two kids Marta and Jaan were excellent. The romance was as its sub-plot, but the theme was sport so all the concentration on the fencing and nothing else. In a couple of sections it feels so cliche, but since it was based on the real, there's nothing to do about it than accepting it.

     Fencing is not a popular sport in the world, so it is good to see a movie about it, but sadly it was not internationally well recognised. Like I said earlier the story was quite small, so I can't describe it in a large scale. I think I said everything I wanted to. In its limitedness the movie was pretty impressive. Not everyone who saw it going to suggest it for you, but it is worth a try.



Suitable for:
Tween, Teen, Adult, All


Final verdict:
Ignore, Bad, Average, Good, Excellent


Similar movies:
The Third Half, Montevideo, A Barefoot Dream, Kano.


External link(s):
      

WCA geolocation:
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