I first saw this movie on Friday and watched it again earlier today. I've been a fan of Jouko Ahola since Werner Herzog's The Invincible movie in 2001.
Jouko Ahola plays a former convict who gets released from prison. Vauramo plays some sort of tech-company director who tries to fight against upcoming company sales. Two different storylines drift in different directions and there seems to be no connection between these two guys. It takes a while and then the story picks up speed and it all becomes very clear towards Act III. I don't want to give any spoilers, but all I can say that this film is a very complex and intriguing script.
If you think that this is just a prison story, you would be wrong. And if you think that this is just a business story, you would also be wrong. It's both of them at the same time. It's a sort of a mix of salt and sugar, so to speak.
Ahola plays a very strong character who has been inmate for most of his life. During that period he has lost basically everything that he had when he was younger - his family, friends and even his former girlfriend with who he reunites in the story. I think that the female actress was great for the role of Annika.
At the same time Vauramo's character is going through his own family drama of not being there for his daughter, while battling with upcoming sales of a company that he helped to build. Altough it probably suits the storyline, I find Vauramo's character to be very serious. I don't particularly like that kind of Finnish non-acting, but maybe that's what they wanted for this role.
Fatherhood is quite clearly involved with the whole storyline and I think it works rather well and brings new kind of elements for sentimental drama and strong feelings. Otherwise it would be just a suspense thriller. I personally like more of this kind of approach where you combine multiple genres inside one picture, instead of just clean cut action/ romance/ etc.
I've been expecting this movie since spring 2023. The release took quite a while, but I have to say that it was worth waiting. Wonderful movie, I recommend for people to see it.
