Movie Review: Love and Other Troubles (Hulluna Saraan)

Love and Other Troubles (Hulluna Saraan) 

Bronson Club, Nordisk Film, Finland, 2012.

Ville Hietalahti (Jussi Nikkilä) is shy and reserved son of aging rock star Taisto Hietalahti (Ville Virtanen). Former child star Ville works as a music teacher and one day he briefly meets an American Country Dance- instructor Sara ("Lost" -star Emilie de Ravin). Ville's bohemian father moves to him because doctor has ordered him to take it easy. 

Ville

Taisto

Sara

Taisto wants to go to a karaoke bar and drags Ville along with him. Also Sara comes to the same bar. When Ville chickens out, it is the daddy who picks up the girl. Both men fall in love with Sara. To complicate things Taisto is chased by Leena (Tiina Lymi) who is an eager fan of Taisto. 

In the bar

In his childhood Ville was alone a lot, while Taisto was touring and now they are trying to fix their relationship. Ville tries to grow out of Taisto's shadow. Also Ronald Reagan's ghost (voiced by Tommi Korpela) has an important role in the story. 

The main actors deliver the comedy with dead pan style. The movie's humour is very Scandinavian style. Jussi Nikkilä's acting style is very low-key compared to Ville Virtanen's hearty rock star. The story has some good moments and nice cinematography. Director Samuli Vauramo's style has been compared to Wes Anderson. However for me the combination of drama and comedy did not quite work as it falls flat and could have been funnier.

The movie is located in a fictional small town in Finland but the movie was filmed in Turku. The movie avoids showing the usual landmarks of Turku, but some streets and residental areas can be identified. 

I know where this place is!

Part of The 2016 Movie Watching Challenge (#32. Movie that is set in your hometown or county) 

Rating: Average 

Starring:  Emilie de Ravin, Ville Virtanen, Jani Volanen, Jussi Nikkilä, Tommi Korpela, Jessica Grabowsky, Janne Reinikainen, Tiina Lymi, Jussi Lampi, Oskari Sipola, Petri Aulin, Leena Vanhamäki, Antti Laaksovirta, Jaakko Paavilainen, Angie Hernandez, Ilona Saari, Maritta Hytönen, Veli-Matti Henttonen, Heikki Sipilä, Väinö Lehtinen, Pertti Räbinä, Sami Olander, Riitta Rantanen, Lukas Rantanen, Jari Hytönen, Seppo Hellman, Eetu Mendolin, Taino Leivo, Merita Seppälä, Ari Jalokinos, Jukka Tuominen, Aarne Kallioranta, Saija Välikangas, Inkeri Tuominen, Jari Pehkonen, Mika Kujala, Viivi Vuorinen, Jarmo Altis 

Director: Samuli Valkama