Three films, three very different worlds and three four-star reviews: Charlize Theron turns every blow into choreography in Atomic Blonde, Laura Birn brings Helene Schjerfbeck back from obscurity in Helene, and Heikki Nousiainen delivers a career-spanning performance in Tuntematon mestari. All three are available to watch for free on television and streaming.
Every Move, Every Line
In Atomic Blonde (2017), Charlize Theron (Mad Max: Fury Road) plays Lorraine Broughton, an MI6 agent sent to Cold War Berlin to investigate a murder and recover a list of double agents. The results are stunning.
American director David Leitch’s (co-director, John Wick) ode to acting and screen fighting rests on a simple truth: you need both for a believable action film.
The camera holds its ground as Theron tears through more than 20 moves, each punch and kick flowing into the next.
Leitch adopted the approach after seeing Theron memorize and execute punches and kicks the way an actor memorizes lines.
The film is hazy, clad in bright colors and dark shadows. The action unfolds to the rhythm of a thumping soundtrack featuring David Bowie, Queen and Blondie.
Meanwhile, Theron remembers her lines too.
‘Atomic Blonde’ | November 15 at 21:00 | Star Channel
Helene Schjerfbeck Refuses to Fade
The year is 1915.
Helene Schjerfbeck (Laura Birn) is a forgotten artist living in the countryside with her elderly mother (Pirkko Saisio).
Years have passed since her last exhibition, yet she keeps painting out of passion.
Everything changes when an art dealer discovers Helene and her 159 magnificent paintings, then sets out to arrange a major solo exhibition.
For Helene, though, the real turning point comes when she is introduced to Einar Reuter (Johannes Holopainen).
A young forester and devoted art enthusiast, Einar is an ardent admirer of Helene’s work. He becomes her confidant and eventually her lover.
Director Antti J. Jokinen’s Helene (Kalevala: Kullervon tarina (Kalevala: The Story of Kullervo)), which premiered in January 2020, drew 178,530 viewers during its theatrical run. It was the seventh-most-watched film in 2020.
Birn’s portrayal of the troubled artist ranks among her career-best performances.
Today, Schjerfbeck’s popularity remains strong. Schjerfbeck’s 2019–2020 exhibition at the Ateneum attracted large crowds.
Ateneum’s collection includes more than 200 works by Schjerfbeck.
‘Helene’ | November 15 at 12:07 | Yle Teema & Fem | Streaming on Yle Areena through December 9
One Last Masterpiece
Olavi Launio (Heikki Nousiainen), an aging art dealer, is preparing to retire. His art gallery on Bulevardi in Helsinki has seen better days.
Larger, younger, more dynamic dealers and auction houses have overtaken him.
Olavi is resigning himself to his fate, though the thought of giving up the business terrifies him.
By chance, Olavi spots a painting at an auction that he suspects is worth far more than its starting price.
With Tuntematon mestari (One Last Deal (2019)), Finnish director Klaus Härö (Äideistä parhain (Mother of Mine)) creates a moving drama and portrays Helsinki in a moody, nostalgic light.
The role of Olavi is one of Heikki Nousiainen’s most memorable performances in a career spanning six decades.
‘Tuntematon mestari’ | November 15 at 14:07 | Yle Teema & Fem | Streaming on Yle Areena through December 9
TONY ÖHBERG’S CUT is the founder’s personal film-review label for sharp, voice-driven takes on cinema, from wholehearted praise to outright rejection.