The Man Without a Past (2002)
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98% of critics liked it
(93 reviews) -
89% of users liked it
(7,080 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,… 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
- Directed By
- Aki Kaurismäki
- Written By
- Aki Kaurismäki
- Genres
- Drama, Art House & International, Comedy
PG,
- In Theaters
- Aug 30, 2002 Wide
- Studio
- Sony Pictures Classics
Critic Reviews
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Jay Boyar, Orlando Sentinel
Kaurismaki's movies can tickle you with the briefest of statements, the smallest of gestures.
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Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
At the end of The Man Without a Past, I felt a deep but indefinable contentment.
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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.
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Richard Nilsen, Arizona Republic
Deliciously slow-paced film.
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Chris Vognar, Dallas Morning News
Wry, whimsical and sure of tone, dry in all of the right ways and without an ounce of condescension.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
Currently unavailable on Flixster
Cast
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Markku Peltola
as M
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Kati Outinen
as Irma
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Juhani Niemelä
as Nieminen
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Kaija Pakarinen
as Kaisa Nieminen
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Sakari Kuosmanen
as Anttila
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Annikki Tähti
as Charity Shop Manager
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Anneli Sauli
as Coffee Bar Waitress
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Elina Salo
as Shipyard Personnel Manager
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Outi Mäenpää
as Bank Employee
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Esko Nikkari
as Earth Moving Constructor
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Pertti Sveholm
as Police Inspector
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Matti Wuori
as M's Attorney
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Aino Seppo
as M's Wife
- Janne Hyytiäinen
- Antti Reini
