Director: Jalmari Helander
Writers: Jalmari Helander , Juuso Helander
Producers: Anna Björk, François-Xavier Frantz, Petri Jokiranta, Knut Skoglund
Starring: Onni Tommila, Jorma Tommila, Tommi Korpela
MPAA Rating: R
Running time: 84 min.
(2.5/5)
If I were 11 years old, I would love this movie. Well at least most of it. The story is essentially about an excavation company unearthing a large “something” from a mountain in Northern Finland. When a couple of village children realize that it’s likely not just a typical dig, but rather the search for Santa Claus – yes, the real Santa Claus – one begins to fear for his safety as apparently Santa Claus is not quite the jolly old man we all thought we knew when we were kids. Rather, he’s an evil old bastard hell bent on punishing naughty little boys and girls through various means (see my post on Krampus). As the village grows more and worry over some strange occurrences (animal mutilations, missing radiators and missing children) one group of men decides to finally believe the young boy and go about setting things right – of course by holding Santa hostage for profit.
First off, this movie takes forever to get going. 80% of the running time is setup and it’s not particularly compelling since the marketing poster explains pretty plainly what we’re eventually in for. So let’s go to it already rather than wasting away the minutes on pretty mindless boredom between son and father, hiding things from one another and worrying incessantly about next year’s crop. It’s practically a snooze fest up until the payoff. Which ends up not being that much of one at all.
There is a slight curve ball thrown our way, but the antagonist is so fiendishly left unseen that the final 20 minutes is a fairly huge let down. The real protagonist as it turns out is a fairly goofy bunch of gangly fellows that need a bath. The movie ceases to be anything remotely creepy and rather a hero story for 12 year-olds.
The concept is great and the actors take their best shot (which is pretty good, actually) with the material but by the end it just wasn’t at all what I had expected. The film is rated R and for the life of me I can’t figure out why. This is a perfectly acceptable film for anyone above the age of 8… possibly younger if your children are mature enough to handle the mythologic letdown, some patience required, and a moment or two of genuine creep fest (a moment or two). For this part, I wanted something a lot more scary, edgy and fun.
It is actually Finland. The movie is Finnish.
Anna, thanks. I changed the description in the review. Cheers.
The movie had some great moments, but it’s so tonally inconsistent – creepy and violent one minute, childish and silly the next.
This film has only grown the more I thought about what I actually got. I had almost the mirror reaction to yours above when I caught this in the furor/frenzy of TIFF, but upon a fair bit of restrospection on the film, I really, really like it in hindsight and am itching to revisit it again. It was my goal to get as many folks who have seen this film together for a sort of ‘movie-club’ dissection of the film and how it leaves varied impressions on people. I’ve failed at this goal, but look forward to discussing it on Film Junk’s Podcast (if the guest spot works out) and R3′s podcast next week.
I really enjoyed it. I was surprised that it wasn’t as action-packed, scary or silly as expected, but I found it very well constructed and quirkily engaging throughout. I think given different expectations you might have got more from it. I do think some of the humour comes across more effectively if you’re more attuned with the Finnish people themselves too. My fiance (who’s Finnish) absolutely loved it and my knowledge of their humour and outlook on life (stereotypically speaking of course) helped me get more out of the father and son relationship.
But it’s clearly not for everyone so I can understand your stance on the film Andrew. Personally I’m with Kurt on this one.
It’s rated R for all the old naked men. Silly.
Yes and there are one or two moments of Friday the 13th style gore as well. Otherwise this thing is about as tame as it gets (which isn’t a bad thing necessarily – just not what I thought I was getting).
I pretty much agree with the FJ podcast’s take on this one… its just not that particularly well executed, it lacks payoff, its weird but not weird enough, and not much happens. I have only thought less of it since seeing it.
Yup I just listened to it and I agree completely. Jay is a little harsh with the jumps in logic, but for the most part they’re right. There are other things I didn’t like about the movie as well but we’ll dive into those on the Cinecast tonight.