Friday, February 01, 2008

Kolmistaan

På tremanhand / [Threesome]. FI (c) 2007 PetFilms, premiere 1 Feb 2008. P+D+SC: Peter Lindholm - dramatization: Kirsten Bonnén Rask. DP: Mark Stubbs - digital intermediate: Generator Post - 35 mm print 1:2,35. Starring: Kari-PekkaToivonen (Tomi Laakso), Liisa Kuoppamäki (Maria Laakso), Matleena Kuusniemi (Janita), Taneli Mäkelä (Martti), Marjaana Maijala (Ritva), Juhani Niemelä (Tomi's father). 110 min. Released by Buena Vista International Finland, Swedish subtitles by Janne Staffans. Viewed at Kinopalatsi 3, Helsinki, 1 Feb 2008. An original variation of the triangle drama. Tomi, married to Maria, with children, meets Janita, is profoundly moved, but "nothing" happens (they don't make love). With great effort, Tomi stays true to Maria, but his health is affected, he loses his joy of life, and marriage becomes a chore. Maria invites Janita to Christmas dinner. There is the parallel story of Martti's affair with his wife Ritva's best friend who gets pregnant, and Ritva changes into a horrendous devil of revenge. Meanwhile, Tomi's father lies dying in the hospital, having lost his power of speech (but not of writing). An interesting cast of characters, often acting against stereotype. Unfortunately there is little excitement in the cinematic expression and too much tv soap opera style. Digital intermediate, alas.

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