Menolippu Mombasaan

I rated this film 8 since it does have some brilliant qualities in its Finnish context. However, for some reason there has been a great number of youth-oriented films lately and this in one of them. And therefore, more mature audiences might find it a little tacky.

However, acting, writing, production, directing and filming are all of a high to top standard. The storyline has depth in searching for the meaning for the life of two soon-to-die-too-young guys who decide to cease the moment which is to be the rest of their lives.

A previous comment sounded very disappointed due to over-sized publicity campaign etc. which, unfortunately is true in today's Finnish cinema effectively in hands of a single production company of Selin. Still I would say that out of the three mentioned contemporary Finnish films (the others being Pahat Pojat and Levottomat3) Mombasa can be told to be Worlds apart.

I hope that we'll hear from the makers of this film soon again and perhaps for more mature audience, too. It's good to have a heart in film industry these days.

I just saw this movie from Estonian TV channel. I didn't seen it from start, but i started when Pete went to operation and came back with bald-headed & then everything started with humor and action. I really think its greatest Finnish movie over long time. I even got some unwanted tears at end of movie, because of the happy end with death :) That movie can be much better if you can understand Finnish and don't need subtitles, because some jokes and sentences are hard to translate. Here was some whimpering comments about this movie, but i think that problem was about understanding. Now i go to find that movie on DVD and also that great soundtrack.

For some reason I got the chance to watch this movie on DVD and to check some fresh faces in European movie making. The idea of a road movie in beautifully shot summerly Findand is quite tempting, and the elements of the 'last hot summer before the adulthood' are all there. Just like in Mexico's "Y tu mamá también" there are two guys interested in sex, booze and rock'n and roll, and a hot chick. Whereas "y tu mamá también" is a master piece and well acted, directed, edited and told, this movie falls short of its intentions in building a coherent drama. Acting is flat, especially the wooden love interest; the girl that goes to Lapland and is followed by the two main characters. Maybe the reason for her inexpressiveness is the poor dialogue but we are never really let to understand her feelings or her motives, and while we are meant to believe that she is the object of desire of one of the main characters, there's a complete lack of chemistry between them which made me wonder why would he ever skip a trip to Mombasa because of her. She is a nice-looking girl but seems so amateur and uncomfortable with the camera that it is almost painful to watch.

The two main characters are good to look at, and there lays one of the basic problems of the movie. They are bald, yes, but that's the only visible trace of their supposed illnesses. They run, jump, dance and have fun, and just look too healthy to be cancer patients. No medicine is that strong. The guitar boy bears a strong resemblance to Mexico's Gael García Marquez (only time will tell whether he has the same level of talent) and is given little material to work with. The real star here is Yusa, the crazy guy. Even if this character is highly exaggerated and the script lacks 'profoundness', the actor is skilled enough to put his heart and energy in the character and while he completely steals the movie (together with the outstanding Finnish countryside), he is the only real reason to keep watching it.

Finnish movies have come a long way. This movie which has also had some success at festivals around the world is evidence that Finland can produce international quality movies. The actors are all really good and their performance is from time to time truly outstanding. It is always hard to make a movie with subjects like cancer but this movie manages to show cancer from a different angle. It is very nice to see the boys so full of life even in their weak situation. A must see for everyone.

Menolippu Mombasaan is good movie no doubt about it!But the sad thing is that it's only couple of steps from being truly mangnificent

The flaws

1.The script is too naive.But it's also funny and emotional! 2.The fact that the two main characters has a cancer is too much in the backround!!

But what is great

1.The cinematography!Especially in the end when three main characters are on the beach!That's great! 2.The fact that characters talks like REAL people would! 3.The humor is great!!

I recommend this movie!Don't underestimate Finnish cinema!It has became better and better so please support it!