Hammerman Ikon

Hammerman Ikon Film Guide

Tie pohjoiseen (Road North)
2012
***
Director: Mika Kaurismäki
Cast: Samuli Edelmann, Vesa-Matti Loiri, Peter Franzén, Irina Björklund, Mari Perankoski, Rea Mauranen, Aake Kalliala

Timo is a celebrated concert pianist whose obsessive perfectionism has driven his wife and daughter away. One day, Timo's father Leo, who has been absent for 35 years, turns up at his door and tricks him to take a road trip together. In true Kaurismäki fashion (see, for example, Rosso), they get in a vintage car and head on down the road. Father and son bicker, bond, and get to know each other, and the rest of the family. Their journey is funny and touching, but a bit melodramatic towards the end. The film stars two actor/singers and it seems inevitable that they sing at some point. Belting it out in the car is one thing, but having a gratuitous scene where they perform on stage is pushing it.