The Man Without a Past/Mies vailla menneisyyttä (2002)

* * ½

Although this film is enjoyable it is difficult to determine whether it is simply entertaining due to its oddity or actually good. It is a very unique take on a love story which follows many extraordinary characters who would not make it in a typical script. The low star rating is because the thought of watching it again tomorrow fills me with dread as it is so slow and feels a lot longer than its 97 minutes.

This is called a comedy and to be informed that it is a comedy would be very helpful before watching this film as it is incredibly deadpan - to a worrying and confusing point. In some points of the film it just appears to be awkward acting that is causing the tension, although upon finding out it is a comedy then the acting becomes clearer. The love story is not a Hollywood, orchestrated romance but a truer depiction of how love works in reality.

The script is terrible. Again it is difficult to tell if the writer is trying to be ironic and satirical but there are so many lines where the audience rolls their eyes. The juxtaposition between the poor, unfortunate characters and the overly poetic language is interesting. Nonetheless the random interludes of dramatic language are annoying and quite bizarre.

The story itself is about a man with amnesia who meets a few quirky friends and falls in love (at first sight) with a lonely woman. It seems to be a mixture of classic indie oddity but also a hint of soap opera. As you follow the narrative it does not surprise you, although you remain interested and emotionally attached. This is another flaw in the writing as it is fairly pointless and non-descript.