Fallen Leaves (2023)★ 7.6/10

It's been too long since I've seen an Aki movie, so for others, Aki's “self-repeating” is a long time coming for me ...... It's true that while it maintains the usual deadpan and humanism, it also slips more obviously into melodrama. It does maintain the usual deadpan and humanism while slipping more obviously into melodrama, but it still works very well in Aki's movie, as does his affection for the working class. It's simply made for moviegoers like us who have been soothed by Aki's movies!

While "Fallen Leaves" has a distinct style and isn't bad, it not that satisfactory. The story is overly simple and the narrative lacks depth, failing to provide intellectual stimulation. The social commentary is evident but simplistic, with opposing elements crudely juxtaposed with comedic elements, which I find unconvincing.

The movie has ended, alcoholism has been overcome, recovery from the car accident has happened, the job is stable, and as the dry leaves fall, the lonely Finn got married. The war between Russia and Ukraine still rages on the airwaves, but in the doubly silent, lonely, yet peaceful Finland, it's only within Aki's story.

This near-perfect 81-minute film tells a simple story that subtracts from the complexity and deep-seated grudges of today's grand themes, yet it still maintains expertly refined filmmaking techniques and a deep sense of humanistic care. The director uses flawless audiovisual language to create a Northern European world shrouded in the shadow of the Russia-Ukraine conflict. The neat and orderly composition and vibrant color tones form a striking contrast with the grim and indifferent social environment, and within this backdrop, are two ordinary people searching for beauty in their lives. I love it.

It's small, quirky, and touching. I’m such a sucker for cute romance. This movie cleverly blends sweetness and sadness, depicting the everyday lives of ordinary working-class people against the backdrop of the Russia-Ukraine conflict. It's not your typical love story; it's rooted in the struggles and monotony of real life. The film captures the essence of love blossoming in adversity, and the characters' simplicity makes it all the more lovely and moving. Aki Kaurismaki is just adorable, and the various mysterious elements are definite pluses.

The sun feels so distant in the endless winter, yet Aki Kaurismaki effortlessly perfects his deadpan comedic art. Coincidentally, in a location where sunshine is as rare as buried treasure, people may have already developed a talent for holding back emotions and embracing social quirks. As a result, the director has mastered the alchemy of "deadpan humor" in this intriguing setting, giving us films that tickle our funny bones in the most Finnish way imaginable.

It was like watching a movie from the last century that still holds onto familiar colors, tunes, and innocence. Amidst raging wars and crumbling lives, love helps people conquer their inner shadows and the horrors of their surroundings, bridging unexpected divides and allowing two people to be with each other like two fallen leaves dancing together in the autumn breeze. What's the harm in nostalgic things? There's so much beauty we once cherished but are slowly forgetting about.

Movies are such a unique art form because of those fleeting moments of unexpected magic. Kaurismäki has portrayed the most passionate love with minimalism and coolness. In his world of light and shadows, the good and the bad all eventually become eternal phantoms.

Aside from the background radio updates on the Russia-Ukraine war, Aki Kaurismäki's film feels like a blast from the past, almost exactly as it did twenty years ago. It humorously portrays the same endearing working class with their jobs, lives, and loves. It's hard to tell if time has stood still for the author or if the changing world hasn't really affected the creator. Nevertheless, these delicate cinematic treats are just what we need at our film festivals—small (short), light(-hearted), and nostalgic (unaltered).

The humor in this film comes from the script, the performances, and Kaurismäki's own introspection. It's one of the few recent movies that truly shines with the brilliance of humanism. Kaurismäki seems to stay true to his style with his familiar tricks, and the protagonists seem to live in the last century. Yet, he always manages to stay in line with the current times, incorporating characteristics of the era without overshadowing the main storyline. What makes a great piece of work? He never gives a direct answer; you just need to see where the light shines at, and you'll understand his answer.

If you aren't fully alert when watching, you'd think you've stumbled upon a restored movie. Perhaps Aki Kaurismäki's intention has never been so clear. In this story, Aki Kaurismäki's nostalgia is never just about the self-enclosure of idealism. His movies always center on resetting one's life, embracing destiny, and striving to put everything back in its place until conflict and change feel simply insignificant like the falling leaves behind you.

This film truly highlights Aki Kaurismäki's exceptional talent, as he managed to make the characters in this overly clichéd story so endearing and moving. "Fallen Leaves" is akin to a variation on "Modern Times”, continuing the theme of alienation in contemporary society, and using comedy to cover the underlying feelings of loneliness. Unlike Charlie Chaplin's physical comedy, Aki Kaurismäki delivers dialogue in an almost deadpan, one-liner style, and nearly every line delivers an unexpected comedic punch, thanks to his incredibly precise timing. I firmly believe Aki Kaurismäki deserves a Best Director Award.