Levottomat

I saw this on DVD with English subtitles (my Finnish is very limited).

Levottomat (The Restless) explores what happens when a wild card is introduced into a circle of friends, follow the mirth and merriment as Ari, a young medical doctor, weaves a path of emotional destruction amongst a group of six student friends in Turku.

The period covers a few months in Ari's life: his mother is terminally ill, he is unwilling or unable to make any emotional ties with any of his one night stands, then he meets Tiina... and her friends.

There are many aspects of Finnish life which are seen in this film, the drinking, Juhannus (midsummer), summer cottages, sauna culture etc., young people lacking experience in relationships... all of which are peculiar to the Nordic countries. You also see people in their mid-20s gallivanting around like freshers... Finland is not only a land of the midnight Sun, but also the land of the eternal student.

Be warned, there is a large amount of nudity and sex in this film, which to most people would seem pornographic, really it's not, well not all of it... Finns have a rather unique outlook on the naked body, perhaps due to their Sauna culture.

Well worth watching.

This film didn't give easy answers, didn't perform unnecessary underlining and is very voyeuristic in depicting nudity. Levottomat (Restless) is quite an existential film, meaning it in the tradition of Sartre and Camus, and has definitely been influenced by Camus' L'Etranger's main character who is unable to really feel. He has lost passion for life, but still feels sexually immensely excited, and ready to satisfy his carnal desires with any girl who indulges in 'no strings attached' sex. The main character Ari, an emergency physician played by Mikko Nousiainen, has no answers. He seems to live in a nihilistic void and struggles with what is ethical - rights and wrongs relating to human relationships. Because of his infinite craving for sex he sacrifices cozy friendships and messes up the lives of a 'sixsome' of 3 couples.

The film has a lot of sex, and I loved the way the actors plunge into their roles. This film is about 'the meaning of life' or what fuels the life if and when there is no meaning to it. The demarcation between 'meaningless sex' that is only the issue of the people directly involved and sex which is encroaching on some third parties' existence was very interesting. When is it ok to cheat and when is it absolutely unacceptable. Ari only refused from sex once, in the case of his desperate, boozing ambulance driver friend wonderfully portrayed by Samuli Edelman being under threat of being left and his wife implying her willingness to sleep with Ari.

The film was written well by Aleksi Bardy, who is obviously knowledgeable of the lives of 20+ Finnish yuppies in a cross-fire of traditional cultural pressures against individualistic happiness and endless search for pleasure. Irina Bjorklund represents a moralist who's notions of right and wrong come from the scriptures. She battles against the nihilism of modern life with her faith and deals with the 'bigger',philosophical questions of existence. Eventually the priest is the one Ari finds most interesting of his numerous women.

After having seen this film three times, I am still wondering... is this all there is? The film depicts Finland in a way that is quite unknown to most foreigners. Yes, Finland is full of depressed, melancholic, pathetic individuals, and this film doesn't actually prove anyone wrong. Still, 'Levottomat' is full of sunshine and wonderful, positive portrayals of southern Finland... put as positively as possible, with all the academic and non-academic screw-ups who - in all their restlessness and despite the sunshine - are just looking for the same things as everyone else. Slightly unrealistic like all films but also very truthful in its depiction of the lives of the 20-something people from Finland. Sad really. And in case you were wondering... yes. Even gorgeous lead-actresses have cellulite. At least in Finland.

I just saw the film "Levottomat" and I think it's marvellous! I recommend it to everyone, although it may be better if you understand Finnish. Mikko Nousiainen is good-looking, yes, but also a great actor. The other actors and actresses are very good too, but Mikko is the BEST! His character Ari is so smart and seems so peaceful out, but inside so restless! The movie was very beautiful, both indoor and outdoor shots were filmed very beautifully. You should all go and watch this movie!!!

Levottomat is a very interesting movie. Quite unique in every sense, and sometimes steps on the border between drama and softcore porn, even if it doesn't really pass it. I found the acting to be pretty good, and the story is quite intriguing. The main character reminds me a lot of a very close friend of mine, so I couldn't keep from bursting out a laughter at times. Though this doesn't mean the movie was funny as in a comedy. Though it's still got its sad and funny sides in its own way. More like sad stuff, I would say. It's frustrating to see how those girls value their sexual joy more than their friendship. But hey buddy, this is life! :-(

The plot is handled well by the director, but could be a little better. Even a movie with such a "sexy" screenplay could have been deeper. I absolutely fell in love with the priest girl, Irina Björklund. She's very pretty, and is a great actress. And the head actor is really talented.

Levottomat is all in all a pretty good effort, in spite of being slightly commercial. I somehow do not look forward to seeing the sequels, because I have a strong feeling that the commerciality would have to be overly exaggerated if one was to make a sequel of this movie. I hope I get to see the sequels and they prove me wrong. But I have doubts about that.. Levottomat in itself is still good though. And right next door to being a classic due to its unique style.

*Recommended!*