Fallen Leaves (2023)
Time: 1h 21mins
Director: Aki Kaurismäki
Quick Summary: In modern-day Helsinki, two lonely souls in search of love meet by chance in a karaoke bar. However, their path to happiness is beset by obstacles - from lost phone numbers to mistaken addresses, alcoholism, and a charming stray dog.
Love can't fix you but it can save you.
I can't get over just how sweet this was. It's not over-the-top mushy romance, but it's realistic. Something I really liked is that the romance didn't feel forced, it felt genuine and something that had built up over time, not your usual love-at-first-sight trope. They don't quite find comfort in each other at first or even lust towards each other, but they find peace together. It's as simple as that and that is what makes this film so warm.
I will warn you, it's a very slow burn of a romance. They don't actually meet each other until half an hour into the film, but I liked that because you get to see these two outside of their connection and what their life is, to then make the reason for their connection so sweet. The beginning of the film can be kinda boring for some people, as not much dialogue is spoken either.
This is funny for the right type of person. It's all pretty much deadpan, things that are said with a straight face or even casually. The jokes can be missed if you don't really understand that type of humour or don't like it. But if you do, this is full of them and man it's funny. The day after meeting each other, this guy said to his friend that he was going to marry her if I hadn't lost her phone number with a completely serious face. Or the woman gets a dog and the phone rings, so she turns to the dog and asks if it could answer the phone for her.
The style is super minimal too and it kind of reminds me of Wes Anderson, but on a much much lower budget. There are so many colours, that seem kinda dull, but really pop out because of the neutral background tones. I also liked that nothing was extra, or seemed unrealistic. This is a realistic romance, set in a place that is also realistic.
Admittedly, nothing actually happens in terms of exciting moments, so this could be boring to the wrong person, but I personally don't think big dramatic moments need to happen in this. It's simple and easy. Two lonely people connect together and make each other's life a bit more bearable, away from what's plaguing them. Neither of them makes grand gestures or big romantic dates, but they like being around each other. That's what matters and that's what makes this such a sweet film.
9/10
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