Review of Man Without a Past, The

Introduction

Aki Kaurismäki`s celebrated `Loser` trilogy comprises `Drifting Clouds`, `The Man Without a Past` and `Lights in the Dusk`. I only became aware of Kaurismäki when `Lights in the Dusk` was sent to me as a review disc, followed by Volumes 1 and 2 of the Aki Kaurismäki Collection, the latter of which included `Drifting Clouds`. `The Man Without a Past` was released separately on DVD in 2003, so was omitted by Artificial Eye from the collections.

After catching the train to Helsinki, a man (Markku Peltola) falls asleep on a park bench and is knocked out, badly beaten and robbed by three men. Stumbling into a toilet and collapsing in a pool of blood, he is taken to hospital where he flatlines, is pronounced dead but wakes up and leaves. Suffering from complete amnesia, he is taken in by a family who live in an empty cargo container near the coast. Without identification or even knowledge of his name, he cannot get a job, a bank account, housing or state benefits.

The man, who appears in the credits as `M`, gets a container of his own and falls in love with Irma (Kati Outinen), a Salvationist who he meets at a soup kitchen. After a while he`s in an uneasy relationship with her, working in the store and teaching the Salvation Army band about the Blues, R&B and Rock `n` Roll. But who is he, what is he doing in Helsinki and is anyone looking for him?

`The Man Without a Past` won the Grand Jury Prize and Kati Outinen got Best Actress at the 2002 Cannes film festival and was Oscar-nominated.

Video

A sharp anamorphic 1.78:1 transfer, which uses generally muted colours and desolate, industrial landscapes to good effect.

Audio

A low-key soundtrack, presented in Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo, with high-quality burned-in English subtitles, which will probably only be an issue if you`re Finnish. The dialogue and Kaurismäki`s eclectic soundtrack of rock `n` roll are clear.

Features

Only a Theatrical Trailer, Cast and Crew Biographies and a Trailer Reel.

Conclusion

Unlike such narrative trilogies as `The Godfather`, `The Lord of The Rings` and `The Matrix`, watching thematic trilogies out of sequential order isn`t a barrier to your enjoyment. You don`t need to have seen `Sympathy For Mr. Vengeance` to understand, appreciate and enjoy `Oldboy` and the same applies here. Despite not having seen `Drifting Clouds` or `Lights in the Dusk` for months, I really enjoyed `The Man Without a Past`, as it works as a stand-alone film, without reference to Aki Kaurismäki`s other work.

The film is deliberately paced, with sparse dialogue (as if speaking is a chore in this existence), but is beautifully shot and full of pathos and deadpan humour, which is not only in situations but in the dialogue:
"What do I owe you?"
"If you find me face down in the gutter, just turn me over."

The paucity of the extra features is a shame, but the film is definitely worth a rental and, if you like it, the Aki Kaurismäki collections should be next on your list.