The Man Without a Past (2002)

98% of critics liked it
(92 reviews)
89% of users liked it
(6,866 ratings)

Aki Kaurismaki's The Man Without a Past opens with the title character (Markku Peltola) being savagely beaten. At the hospital he is declared dead, but he sits up and walks out on his own power. He is taken in by a mother and her two sons, discovers an old jukebox that inspires local musicians, and… More Aki Kaurismaki's The Man Without a Past opens with the title character (Markku Peltola) being savagely beaten. At the hospital he is declared dead, but he sits up and walks out on his own power. He is taken in by a mother and her two sons, discovers an old jukebox that inspires local musicians, and discovers he has skills as a welder. When he becomes unwittingly involved in a bank robbery, and the man is unable to give the police his name, the cops send out feelers trying to figure out the man's identity. Soon his wife appears. The Man Without a Past was screened at the 2002 Cannes Film Festival where it was awarded the Grand Prix, the most storied prize after the Palme D'Or. ~ Perry Seibert, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: PG-13, 1 hr. 37 min.
Directed By: Aki Kaurismäki
Written By: Aki Kaurismäki
Genres: Drama, Art House & International, Comedy

In Theaters: Aug 30, 2002 Wide
On DVD: Oct 7, 2003
Studio: Sony Pictures Classics

Critic Reviews

Jay Boyar, Orlando Sentinel
Kaurismaki's movies can tickle you with the briefest of statements, the smallest of gestures.
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
At the end of The Man Without a Past, I felt a deep but indefinable contentment.
Michael Wilmington, Chicago Tribune
A powerful film made with minimal means, it's a story of poor people on the fringes of society, done without sentimentality or condescension but with wicked humor.
Richard Nilsen, Arizona Republic
Deliciously slow-paced film.
Chris Vognar, Dallas Morning News
Wry, whimsical and sure of tone, dry in all of the right ways and without an ounce of condescension.
Eric Harrison, Houston Chronicle
Full of deadpan humor.
Boyd van Hoeij, european-films.net
What sets this film apart from other quirky adventures is its internal coherence (both in terms of storytelling and visual style) as well as the humanity of its characters.
Jeffrey Overstreet, Looking Closer
With its rusty railroads and dingy metal canisters where the downtrodden dwell, [the movie] finds color, surprise, and joy in the simplicity of these struggling Helsinki outcasts.
Dan Jardine, Cinemania
Kaurismaki's affection for and faith in people shines through even in the darkest moments
Robert Roten, Laramie Movie Scope
A slow-paced film, it certainly has its rewards for the patient viewer, but it is not the kind of film to knock your socks off with its sparkling comedy.
Enrique Buchichio, Uruguay Total
Lo grandioso de El Hombre sin Pasado es que es una película simple, sobre cosas simples, y sobre personas simples.
Brian Gibson, Vue Weekly (Edmonton, Canada)
A wistful, romantic concoction served straight-up, with no chaser to brace you against the strong kick of reality. . . . unforgettable.
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
Should please those who can live with the droll acting.
Jurgen Fauth, About.com
One of the warmest and funniest films of the year.
Steve Schneider, Orlando Weekly
To vindicate a much-maligned term, it's a nice picture.
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
A totally strange, beguiling, sadly humorous and humorously sad little film that's apt to linger in your memory far longer than many a more immediately impressive work.

Read all 16 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Jan Marc M

The Man Without A Past raises a question, "what would make a changed better man?" A rather odd but interesting lovely story that delineates past, present, and future. Vivid, subtle characters blessed with sincere humanity and profound personalities. Hilarious. Brilliant.… More
The Man Without A Past raises a question, "what would make a changed better man?" A rather odd but interesting lovely story that delineates past, present, and future. Vivid, subtle characters blessed with sincere humanity and profound personalities. Hilarious. Brilliant. Compelling.
Idrees K

Great dialogue, interesting story and all that...but it just felt meh. It's a bit too dry for my tastes
Stefanie C

Jim Jarmusch aptly summarized this film: "it's sad enough to make you laugh, and funny enough to make you cry."
Anthony L

The man without a past is essentially an ode to classic film-noir but very much in keeping with Kaurismäki's style and love towards his homeland. It's also very wry, very funny and very beautiful. Part 2 of his Finland trilogy, I didn't like it as much as Drifting… More
The man without a past is essentially an ode to classic film-noir but very much in keeping with Kaurismäki's style and love towards his homeland. It's also very wry, very funny and very beautiful. Part 2 of his Finland trilogy, I didn't like it as much as Drifting Clouds or some of his earlier work but that's not saying much really because I think he is one of the top directors working today. I also caught the subtle tribute to Matti Pellonpää, it was quite lovely actually.
Ross C

A well told, simple story about a Finnish man suffering from amnesia. The style reminds me of American movies of the 60s, and there's a few nice political jabs aimed at bureaucracy.
Lesley N

M turns up in a Finnish town, gets mugged and as a result loses his memory of everything including his name. Now he has to build a life from scratch. A strange film, with a lot of charm. The frequently humorous dialog is delivered as flat as a pancake and you can't help but root… More
M turns up in a Finnish town, gets mugged and as a result loses his memory of everything including his name. Now he has to build a life from scratch. A strange film, with a lot of charm. The frequently humorous dialog is delivered as flat as a pancake and you can't help but root for the resourceful lead and hope he gets his happy ending. <img src="http://www.ica.org.uk/thumbnail.php?id=2240&max=450"> From JIMBOTENDER's favourites list
Dimitris S

Gorgeously shot,plenty of irony and numbness whilst our protagonist loiters in a community of weird individuals.Spectacular I say!For Kaurismaki,this is the ultimate view on his philosophy regards to isolation,edging towards a deep melancholy of the heart.The keys of happiness are… More
Gorgeously shot,plenty of irony and numbness whilst our protagonist loiters in a community of weird individuals.Spectacular I say!For Kaurismaki,this is the ultimate view on his philosophy regards to isolation,edging towards a deep melancholy of the heart.The keys of happiness are what Kant used to seek and the beloved director from the north charismatically perceives to grab them.