The Happiest Day in the Life of Olli Maki
Directed by Juho Kuosmanen
Finland, 2016
HOME, 27 April 2017
An unusual boxing film, this effort from Finland, that is all about a fellow who at root is a lover not a fighter.
He wants to walk along a river holding hands with his girl, not go ten rounds with a mean (actually, a very gentlemanly though ruthlessly professional) American world champion. We have several low key, generally excellent performances. There are ordinary, magical lives deftly observed. And there is a big heart at its centre; it is a film that pulls no punches.