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Letters to Father Jacob

Original title: Postia pappi Jaakobille
  • 2009
  • 1h 14m
IMDb RATING
7.3/10
2.4K
YOUR RATING
Letters to Father Jacob (2009)
With few options, newly pardoned convict Leila agrees to work as an assistant to a blind pastor. Father Jacob spends his days answering the letters of the needy, which Leila finds pointless. But when the letters stop, the pastor is devastated and Leila finds herself cast in a new role.
Play trailer1:29
1 Video
7 Photos
Drama

With few options, newly pardoned convict Leila agrees to work as an assistant to a blind pastor. Father Jacob spends his days answering the letters of the needy, which Leila finds pointless.... Read allWith few options, newly pardoned convict Leila agrees to work as an assistant to a blind pastor. Father Jacob spends his days answering the letters of the needy, which Leila finds pointless. But when the letters stop, the pastor is devastated and Leila finds herself cast in a new... Read allWith few options, newly pardoned convict Leila agrees to work as an assistant to a blind pastor. Father Jacob spends his days answering the letters of the needy, which Leila finds pointless. But when the letters stop, the pastor is devastated and Leila finds herself cast in a new role.

  • Director
    • Klaus Härö
  • Writers
    • Klaus Härö
    • Jaana Makkonen
  • Stars
    • Kaarina Hazard
    • Heikki Nousiainen
    • Jukka Keinonen
  • See production, box office & company info
  • IMDb RATING
    7.3/10
    2.4K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Klaus Härö
    • Writers
      • Klaus Härö
      • Jaana Makkonen
    • Stars
      • Kaarina Hazard
      • Heikki Nousiainen
      • Jukka Keinonen
    • 12User reviews
    • 22Critic reviews
    • 65Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 17 wins & 7 nominations

    Videos1

    Trailer
    Trailer 1:29
    Watch Trailer

    Photos7

    Kaarina Hazard and Heikki Nousiainen in Letters to Father Jacob (2009)
    Kaarina Hazard and Heikki Nousiainen in Letters to Father Jacob (2009)
    Kaarina Hazard in Letters to Father Jacob (2009)
    Klaus Härö and Heikki Nousiainen in Letters to Father Jacob (2009)
    Letters to Father Jacob (2009)
    Letters to Father Jacob (2009)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Kaarina Hazard
    Kaarina Hazard
    • Leila
    Heikki Nousiainen
    • Father Jacob
    Jukka Keinonen
    • Posteljooni
    Esko Roine
    • Vankilan Johtaja
    Kaija Pakarinen
    Kaija Pakarinen
    • Leilan sisko
    • (voice)
    • Director
      • Klaus Härö
    • Writers
      • Klaus Härö(screenplay)
      • Jaana Makkonen(original idea) (original script)
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The story is set in 1973, according to the date on the mail-order catalog cover.
    • Goofs
      In one brief shot, the mailbox in the yard has water streaming out from four holes. This water could not have accumulated naturally, so it was obviously poured into the mailbox by the crew just before the shot.
    • Quotes

      Vankilan Johtaja: Twelve years and no mention about leaves. Not a single requisition.

      Leila: Haven't had any reason.

      Vankilan Johtaja: And no family meetings.

      Leila: I have had no reason.

      Vankilan Johtaja: Do you have any idea where are you going to go next?

      Leila: It was to be life sentence.

      Vankilan Johtaja: Pardon has been accepted and that's that.

    • Connections
      References Little Big Man (1970)
    • Soundtracks
      Quartet in F Minor
      Composed by Joseph Haydn

      Performed by Hart House String Quartet

    User reviews12

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    9/10
    Sweet, simple and well worth your time.
    Have you ever seen a movie that just sneaks up on you? You find yourself watching a film that seem okay and then suddenly you realize that it's really a magnificent and moving picture? Well, I sure have and I wish it happened more often, that's for sure. Like "My Afternoons with Margueritte", "Letters to Father Jacob" is one of these sweet pictures. But, because it sneaks up on you, be sure to pay attention and fight that urge to turn it off--it's a terrific little film.

    The film begins in prison. Leila has been pardoned for her crime but she refuses to leave! It seems she has no where to go and is content to stay in prison. However, an old blind priest named Father Jacob has requested that she be paroled to him--as a housekeeper. She is not thrilled but has no other options and moves in with the guy. Her job is to do light housekeeping as well as read letters to him. Apparently, he's received thousands of letters from people requesting his advice and prayers and that is his ministry. Leila seems pretty bored by this and even begins tossing many of the letters away and contemplates running. However, she stays and then it happens--the film really goes right for the heart. I won't say more--it would spoil it. However, suffice to say it was NOT predictable, many questions are answered and you should have some Kleenex nearby.

    The bottom line is that this film is exceptional--great writing, wonderful natural acting by folks who do not appear to be professional actors (though they are--especially Heikki Nousiainen who has had many film appearances) and the direction was just wonderful. If you don't mind a film without explosions, super-stars or glitz but just want a great film about people, give this one a try---you'll be glad you did!
    helpful•2
    0
    • planktonrules
    • May 2, 2013

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • April 3, 2009 (Finland)
    • Country of origin
      • Finland
    • Official site
      • Official site (Japan)
    • Language
      • Finnish
    • Also known as
      • Letters to Father Jaakob
    • Production companies
      • Kinotar
      • Yleisradio (YLE)
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • €525,000 (estimated)
    • Gross worldwide
      • $1,332,577
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 14 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.35 : 1

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