'Man Exposed'
Riisuttu mies
Available on DVD
Finland 2006 colour 119min Lasihelmi Filmi
***½
Drama, comedy
cast: Samuli Edelmann (Antti Pitkänen), Matleena Kuusniemi (Tuula Pitkänen), Laura Malmivaara (Vilma), Mikko Kouki (Markku), Pentti Siimes (old bishop), Jussi Parviainen (the bishop), Kari Hietalahti
credits: dir. Aku Louhimies, script Veli-Pekka Hänninen, DOP and prod. Harri Räty
Antti Pitkänen is a man and a priest. Outside he looks like kind and sweet man, but things are eating this fellow. He seems not to be able to make a baby with his beautiful wife. His best friend is slowly killing himself with alcohol. Antti's wife has dreams of him as the new bishop. Antti doesn't even seem to have faith anymore. It's an intorelable situation.
The script of this movie was written by a man, who is a priest himself. He has been claiming that the studio changed his script radically. That may be, because this movie tells about hypocrite priests and their church with very strong effects. Boozing priests, naked priests, a bishop who is like a gangsta with his huge golden cross and brilliant tan... This movie screams to be seen.
It's always good, when a movie has something to say. Unfortunately this one has too much of it. Also, Samuli Edelmann in the main role is not credible when he starts to pray. He can act like a pig, but not like a priest. Luckily the other actors are fine. Especially the flick's ladies, Matleena Kuusniemi and Laura Malmivaara, act well. They're really inside their roles.
---