Beauty and the Bastard (2005)

A woman dulled with praise, Nelli is well on her way to Med-School thanks to her parents, but dreams of a career as a singer.

Director:

Dome Karukoski

Writer:

Pekko Pesonen

Stars:

Pamela Tola, Samuel Vauramo, Joonas Saartamo

4 wins & 7 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Pamela Tola	...	Nelli
Samuel Vauramo	...	Sune (as Samuli Vauramo)
Joonas Saartamo	...	Kondis
Eero Milonoff	...	Isukki
Jussi Nikkilä	...	Mikko
Elena Leeve	...	Mari
Mikko Kouki	...	Anssi
Mikko Leppilampi	...	D.T.
Anna-Leena Härkönen	...	Hilkka
Eero Saarinen	...	Nellin isä
Lotta Kaihua	...	Pilvi
Laura Malmberg	...	Isukin Tyttöystävä
Osla Räisänen	...	Isukin lapsi
David Sandqvist	...	Sunen Pikkuveli
Jaana Järvinen	...	Kuoronjohtaja

Storyline

A woman dulled with praise, Nelli is well on her way to Med-School thanks to her parents, but dreams of a career as a singer.

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Plot Keywords:

woman | singer | title based on song | suburb | stardom | 

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Genres:

Drama | Music | Romance

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Did You Know?

Trivia

Was filmed in 22 days. The budget was 850 000 Euro.

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Connections

References Popstars (2002)

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Soundtracks

TULEVAISUUDEN JOHTAJAT
Composed by Jukka Immonen
Lyrics by Elastinen (as Kimmo Laiho), Asa (as Matti Salo) and Joonas Saartamo
Performed by Eero Milonoff and Joonas Saartamo (as Kärkiryhmä)
© The Fried Music/ Air Chrysalis Scandinavia

User Reviews

Old plot - New frame

Branded as the "best Finnish movie ever made" sounds like a bit of an overstatement by the pro critics. The film consists of a standard plot, which in this case has been placed in a frame surrounding a rap band. Couple meets - there are other love interests/attraction - cultural and social background of the characters - there is a misunderstanding - then another - yet another - at the same time dream of one or the other or both is fulfilled - both main characters are extremely good at what they do - there are "advisors" to both of the main characters - and then there love and happy ending.... How many such films have we seen!

The film's plot differs not from the above, but it differs to its advantage in the excellent and believable characters in the film. Wieving the film in a theatre full of 15 to 19 year olds was an eye opener for and old fart like myself. You could almost hear how the film clicked with them. Character building was so strong with the actors that I had to ask myself whether they really were a rap band, remembering that Eminem made a movie of himself as well.

Plot, as standard as it was, was handled professionally and with a strong touch. There we some hilarious scenes and a lot of simple but good anecdotes that permeated throughout the film. Director had also included some symbolic, willingly or unwillingly, like when Sune is helped in his drunken stupor by Kondis and Isukki. Did you too recall the painting "Wounded Angel" by Hugo Simberg! Removing the typical "Schlager" type music the film does not suffer one bit. Using rivalry between R/B and Rap benefits the film on a level as well.

All in all the film worked well. It can't get the top marks as there is nothing unique in it, it brings nothing new to us. 7 out of 10

Details

Official Sites:

Official site [Finland]

Country:

Finland

Language:

Finnish

Release Date:

21 October 2005 (Finland)

Also Known As:

Beauty and the Bastard

Filming Locations:

Helsinki, Finland

Box Office

Budget:

EUR849,302 (estimated)

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$1,125,323

Company Credits

Production Co:

Helsinki-Filmi

Technical Specs

Runtime:

102 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1