Vodkaa, komisario Palmu

This production is the only one not based on a book by the original author of the Palmu series, Mika Valtari, and one can easily notice that. Consequently the quality of the plot is lower than in previous titles. They were classical murder-mysteries in the spirit of Agatha Christie, and this one rather belongs to the thriller genre. It was made several years after the previous films, and unlike them, it was made in color. I have seen worse acting in movies, but it is not charismatic or phenomenal either. Mostly the movie just feels like a forced sequel to make cash on a popular character. I am definitely not going to rewatch this, once was enough.

"Vodkaa, Komisario Palmu" is the last of the four Palmu films, and the first one made in color. It is different from the previous three in other ways, too: Palmu is now married and retired, living in the country, and takes up a murder case (the stabbing of a reporter) as a private investigator. The mystery itself is secondary, as the film tries to be more of a political thriller (about the tense Finland - Russia relationship), an action movie (with some admittedly impressive helicopter stunts), and even a musical (!). For all that effort, the results are mediocre. Anna-Leena Mäki-Penttilä, as Palmu's assistant, who spends nearly the entire movie in figure-hugging sweaters, does have a great....figure. The first Palmu outing ("Error", from 1960) is far and away the best. ** out of 4.

Great movie! Although I don't speak Finnish, it was easy to follow the scenario.

Viktor Klimenko does a good job playing Stenka. However, he is a much better singer and performer in real life. Some scenes were plainly stupid -- for example, chasing the girl around the table.

Watch Palmu's expressions -- they are hilarious. It's a perfect demonstration of the power of nonverbal communication.

I would recommend this movie to anybody who likes mystery or at least interested in experiencing another culture. You can learn some Finnish, too. Kiitos (thank you)!

This one just doesn't fit in the Palmu series and is sometimes seen as the black sheep. First time in colour, fourth Palmu movie mixes unfaithful lovers and jealous killers, corrupted politicians and left-wing idealistic reporters trying to expose these bad guys.

In this one charismatic Palmu is already retired from police work. Matti Ranin's character (Virta) is nowadays a strict parliament lap-dog and Kokki ("cook" in Finnish) -- surprise, surprise -- owner of a restaurant. Palmu gathers together with Kokki for his last case and pressure between Virta & Palmu gets heated as Palmu is working for the media and Virta for the state. Sadly, old Palmu is a senile husband, not detective with a razor-sharp wit like he used to be.

This is a half-assed attempt to create something more epic than the last Palmu movies and their grassroot level crimes and situations. This is more of a brave Soviet agents go James Bond in Finland than a Palmu movie -- with some obvious tension between Finland and Soviet Union, something non-Finnish viewer might not see. **/*****

If it were only for my nostalgia for the old Helsinki and a depiction of a time under tight regulations of the Finnish media, I would rate the movie as worth of 7 or 8 stars out of 10, but the acting and pacing is so clumsy, one cannot pass it. Joel Rinne is one of the few saving graces of the cast, as his interpretation of inspector Palmu is as timely as ever. The cinematography and editing is sometimes quite clumsy and character motivations slim. Also, the director wasn't quite up to the challenge at the time. The previous Palmu movies did a far better job at setting up the crime and depicting a logical, somewhat humorous journey to the reveal of the murderer.