Restless

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.

The subject of this film is "ambivalence" to the core - exquisitely photographed by Mac Ahlberg, excellent ensemble acting led by Mikko Nousiainen as Ari, well written, witty, and deceptively clever on multiple levels, sexy, but not exploitive, featuring a kind of existential numbness to the beauty and meaning of the world spinning around Ari, who, while extremely attractive and intelligent, just doesn't have a clue about any sense of values or distinguishing importance about the people in his life, professionally or personally, whose lives are nearly destroyed by his self-centered, personally indulgent, yet unsatisfied life style, which freely allows him to pick up and screw other friend's girl friends without regard for the disastrous consequences, who lives in a perpetual state of lovelessness, sex for the sake of sex, so to speak, knowing virtually nothing about his partners, the less the better, such is the state of his emotional uninvolvement. The film links his sexual exploration with his quest for spiritual redemption, which, personally, I found a bit premature, as a guy like Ari will always be a wandering soul, an existential nomad, especially when his needs are strangled by so-called mainstream relationships. This is kind of a MAD MAX with sex rather than cars, as Ari is wandering through the same wastelands... I loved the music, and if anyone can turn me on to a soundtrack CD, I found none available in the states.

Robert

Amazing movie that really delves deep into themes of love, religion, compassion, friendship, existence, and the human soul. I admit I gained a real appreciation for the romantic elements of the Finnish language after seeing this. I put the movie on par with most of Hollywood's best love stories, but it also has an existentialist aspect making it similar to other great movies such as "Run Lola Run". The cinematography is also quite excellent and there is a real sense of a connection between the characters and their very secure and comfortable society. The natural beauty of Finland is captured perfectly and it almost adds an aura of calm to the film. I recommend this to any serious movie lovers and its a 10/10 for me.

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!*

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!!!