The Man Without a Past (2002)
Medium level violence
| Director: | Aki Kaurismäki |
| Actors: | Juhani Niemelä, Kaija Pakarinen, Kati Outinen, Markku Peltola |
The Man Without a Past's hero, M, is a solemn leather-jacketed man (Peltola) who arrives in Helsinki, sits on a bench and promptly gets beaten within an inch of his life by three thugs - a startling and rare burst of violence for Kaurismaki. He is taken to hospital and bandaged up, mummy-style, but soon flatlines and is declared dead. Almost immediately he jolts back to life, and in a visual gag that dazzingly wrong-foots the audience, crunches his nose back into position before heading out in to the world.
Unable to remember who he is, he is taken in by a friendly couple (Niemela and Pakarinen) in a community of down-and-outs living in old freight containers. M does a deal with the freight yard's corrupt and grandiloquent security guard Anttila, aka Whip of God (Kuosmanen) for a container complete with a working juke-box stocked with R&B and Blind Lemon Jefferson blues. He doggedly builds himself a new life, with inspiration from Salvation Army officer Irma (Outinen), who returns his chaste pattern
| Status: | Normal |
|---|---|
| Run time: | 97mins |
| Origin: | GERMANY |
| Aspect Ratio: | 16:9 Enhanced |
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Member Reviews (15)
15 Member
Reviews
sk
says
Aki Kaurismaki is one of my favourite present-day directors. His passion for cinema is evident in every scene. The man also writes, produces the stories and chooses the music - which works seamlessly. Man Without A Past features his wonderful regularly used group of actors. It's a pity madman have only released this and le havre on dvd. I've seen virtually all of his movies, and it's been a pleasure. He has that dry Finnish wit, dark humour and focuses on those that find themselves on life's harsher periphery. It's the caring and voice that he gives to these characters that appeals to me. Cinematography by Timo Salminon is superb as usual.
CL-D
says
A man is given a chance at life again after a ?near death experience that leaves him without a memory. An Intelligent film with many topics to ponder. Realistic and stark but shows how compassion and love can help people find happiness out of very little. Middle movie of a trilogy, the other two of which can't be got on Quikflix. Aki Kaurismaki is a director with great insight .....and I love saying that name. If you like this you'll find Le Havre another gem.
filmasart
says
Quirky, deadpan humour a joy to watch for the arthouse lover of film with a difference. Resonates with one after its viewing.
Maria J.
says
I loved this movie.
girlster
says
This film is quirky, but honestly the acting is so stilted and cold you'd swear your watching The Thunderbird puppets! I'm not really surprised I've never seen any of these actors in any other films. Better films available before hiring this one!
Tracey S.
says
"The second part of Aki Kaurismäki's "Finland" trilogy" - where's the first and the third parts?
Piya A.
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Sarah W.
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Brian Graham
says
Excellent social comment. Quite absorbing little tale of a traveller to a big city.
Peter Ryall
says
Exhibiting typical Finnish forwardness and loquaciousnness, this very stylised film by Aki Kaurismakih moves slowly towards it's satisfactory conclusion.
Anita Roberts
says
Janet Jones
says
Finnish director, Aki Kaurismaki's film uses a familiar formula, amnesia, as the frame for a refreshingly original story. The background is sombre, the characters live at the edges of society and the mood is dark, but flashes of humour and humanity relieve the sense of pessimism and raise the spirits. This is a most enjoyable film.
S Roy
says
A long drawn out movie.
Maurice Ambrosoli
says
Bernard Rooney
says