Storyline
The true story of Olli Mäki, the famous Finnish boxer who had a shot at the 1962 World Featherweight title. Immensely talented and equally modest, Olli's small town life is transformed when he is swept into national stardom and suddenly regarded as a symbol of his country. There's only one problem: Olli has just fallen in love. Inside of the ring, it's Finland vs. the USA, but outside, boxing and romance become unlikely adversaries vying for Olli's attention. This charming feature debut from Juho Kuosmanen was awarded the Un Certain Regard Prize at the Cannes Film Festival.
Writers: Juho Kuosmanen, Mikko Myllylahti, Oona Airola, Eero Milonoff, Jarkko Lahti, Oona Airola, Eero Milonoff, Jarkko Lahti, Esko Barquero, Joonas Saartamo, Joanna Haartti, Mika Melender, John Bosco Jr., Marko Wilskman, Pia Andersson, Ilkka Pekkarinen, Olli Rahkonen, Olli Mäki, Raija Mäki, Niklas Hyvärinen, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Cast: Oona Airola -
Raija Mäki
Eero Milonoff -
Elis Ask
Jarkko Lahti -
Olli Mäki
Esko Barquero -
Snadi
Joonas Saartamo -
Boxer
Joanna Haartti -
Laila Ask
Mika Melender -
Ravintolan johtaja
John Bosco Jr. -
Davey Moore
Marko Wilskman -
Extra
Pia Andersson -
Miss Suomi
Ilkka Pekkarinen -
Reportteri lehdistötilaisuudessa
Olli Rahkonen -
Nyrkkeilijä, Askin Talli
Olli Mäki -
Vanha pariskunta
Raija Mäki -
Vanha pariskunta
Niklas Hyvärinen -
Nyrkkeilijä, Askin Talli
Taglines:
As fiercely talented as he is modest, Finnish boxer Olli Mäki is swept into national stardom as he trains for a once-in-a-lifetime fight against the World Featherweight Champion. There's only one problem: he's just fallen in love.
Trivia:
Director Juho Kuosmanen, producer Jussi Rantamäki, actor Jarkko Lahti, actress Oona Airola and the real Olli Mäki whom Lahti plays in the film, are all from the city of Kokkola. See more »
Goofs:
A modern switchboard housing can be briefly seen in the hallway of Elis Ask's apartment. See more »
User Review
Author:
Rating: 7/10
This is a Finnish sport-biopic that was an official submission for the
2017 Oscars, but did not make it. Despite inspired by a real person,
the film only focused on one event, a big event of his life. Sets in
the early 60s, the country's one of the biggest sporting event is about
to take place. So the pre-event incidents, including the preparation
and all those related affairs were detailed in this film.
It's hard to say that everybody would end up liking it. Especially the
sport segment. That's a major drawback of the film, but the other way
around this is still very good. Only if you are okay with the facts
over entertainment. So as I'm who already saw the film want to give a
piece of advice for those who are yet to see it that watch it as a
romance film. Yep, it is a better romance film than a boxing film.
That's not how the pre developments swings, but it gets there a little
late and then ends with an unexpected twist.
An amateur boxer Olli Maki got a shot at pro boxing, so he's heading
Helsinki and making preparation to face the strongest opponent coming
from the United States. Not just for him, but for the whole country, it
is a historical event. So the pressure is on Olli's team to make the
right progress, especially to please their sponsors. Seems it was a
smooth ride, until Olli find himself in an unwanted distraction,
particularly at that time which is a turning point in his professional
life. This is the flavour of romance and the boxing, can those two go
along? Is what the remaining film carefully revealed.
❝This is the shittiest moment to fall in love.❞
Like any sports films we had seen, this film as well all about pre
event hype and the final act is given to the grand finale on the ring.
Looks 'Cutie and the Boxer' should have been a perfect title, but this
is nothing like that documentary film. It was not Olli's whole life, it
was his falling and rising. Falling in love and rising to be a great
boxer in Finland. But the problem is, both the things happening on the
same time. More like romance versus profession. It's off the ring
battle for Olli and can he win it, followed by a real battle.
Now you would remember other awesome boxing films where love story and
boxing had met like 'Rocky', 'Cinderella Man' and many more. This film
is not comparable with them, that's the saddest part of it. It's a
black and white film, and the filmmakers say that's because to take us
60 years back to Finland. They used film rolls like the old way of
filmmaking. Indeed, it worked, it was the backbone of the film along
the great cast. There are many characters, but revolved around only
3-4. The dialogues were minimised and let the pictures talk.
The good news it was a 90 minute film with a decent pace. The one who
played Olli was really good, but even in little lesser than that role,
Raija enchants us. I can't forget that smile, it still appears front my
eyes. Not just Olli, you might as well fall for her (at least for the
actress who player that character). I also come to know the real
couple's cameo for a brief was in the final scene. This is not the
finest Finnish film I've seen, but I respect biopics as they tell the
truth. It seems a better film for the older and matured guys, like
above 30-35. But stay away if you are looking for a pleasure.
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