Pekko ja poika: Telttaretkellä (excerpt) (English subtitles) (Finnish movie)

Описание: Camping Trip. Excerpt from the movie "Pekko and the Boy", released in 1994.

"Pekko ja poika" is a comedy that gives you everything you'd expect from a good old Finnish countryside story. Directed and written by Timo Koivusalo, it dives into the everyday chaos and quirks of the much-loved character Pekko Aikamiespoika, played by Koivusalo himself. If you've ever watched a Finnish comedy from the '90s, you know the type—a bit awkward, a bit clueless, but ultimately a guy with a good heart who's just trying to find his place in a changing world.

Pekko's character, as always, is full of naive charm. Pekko Aikamiespoika has this childlike innocence, which means that despite his best intentions, trouble seems to follow him wherever he goes. The story this time revolves around Pekko and a young boy—the "poika" from the title. The dynamic between Pekko and the boy leads to a lot of classic humor, but there's also an underlying tenderness that gives the film a bit more depth than just your average slapstick comedy. The kid brings out Pekko's more caring side, and the movie doesn't shy away from showing that even someone as clumsy as Pekko can rise to the occasion when needed.

Timo Koivusalo, who has played Pekko for years, really knows how to bring out that mix of comedy and vulnerability in the character. He's not just playing a role; he is Pekko, right down to that bemused smile and awkward body language. Koivusalo’s career is actually pretty interesting. He's not just an actor but also a filmmaker, musician, and even a singer-songwriter. He had a hand in creating a lot of beloved Finnish entertainment, from movies to TV shows, and he's managed to keep that very specific Finnish humor alive—a kind of humor that comes from the little things in everyday life, often the stuff that’s taken for granted.

Supporting Pekko, we have some familiar faces from Finnish cinema, like Satu Silvo and Esko Nikkari. Silvo plays her role as Pipsa with her usual sharp wit, balancing Pekko's absent-mindedness with her more grounded performance. She brings a kind of charm that gives the film its comedic balance, offering a more sober contrast to Pekko's antics. Esko Nikkari, a veteran in Finnish film, shows up as well as Reino the police, and every scene he's in feels authentic—he really knows how to embody the older generation that Pekko constantly ends up tangling with.

The movie has that typical Koivusalo comedic style, where you can't help but smile even at the simplest misunderstandings and awkward moments. It doesn’t need flashy scenes or complex storylines. Instead, it leans on the humor of small-town life—the nosy neighbors, the exaggerated gossip, and Pekko's over-the-top attempts to make everything work out just right. You get the sense that Pekko is forever stuck in a simpler time, even though the world around him keeps moving forward.

"Pekko ja poika" is ultimately a feel-good movie. Sure, it's a bit cheesy at times, and there’s a predictable quality to the story, but that’s part of what makes it so charming. It doesn’t try to be anything other than what it is: a snapshot of small-town Finland, filled with colorful characters and simple laughs. If you're looking to get away from anything too serious and just want to enjoy a straightforward story with a likable (if clueless) protagonist, this one's got you covered.

And a final note on Koivusalo—his dedication to bringing Pekko to life, and to the kind of humor that comes from everyday situations, is what makes this film work. The movie may not be revolutionary, but it's genuine, and it has that warm, nostalgic touch that makes it a comforting watch. Pekko might be bumbling his way through life, but he does it with a heart of gold, and that’s what keeps people coming back to these films.