The Happiest Day in the Life of Olli Mäki (2016)

September 2, 2016 (FI) • Drama, Romance • 95m

Overview

Summer 1962 and Olli Mäki has a shot at the world championship title in featherweight boxing. From the Finnish countryside to the bright lights of Helsinki, everything has been prepared for his fame and fortune. All Olli has to do is lose weight and concentrate. But there is a problem – he has fallen in love with Raija.

Director

Juho Kuosmanen

Writers

Juho Kuosmanen, Mikko Myllylahti

Top Billed

Jarkko Lahti

Keywords

love finland 1960s boxing

Where to watch

Rent

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Buy

Fandango At Home

Top Billed Cast

Jarkko Lahti

Olli Mäki

Oona Airola

Raija Jänkä

Eero Milonoff

Elis Ask

Joanna Haartti

Laila Ask

Esko Barquero

Snadi

Elma Milonoff

Evi

Leimu Leisti

Tuula

Hilma Milonoff

Anneli

Olli Rahkonen

Boxer

Joonas Saartamo

Boxer

Henrik Palosaari

Boxer / Boxer in a Match

Sam-Peter Hirvikangas

Boxer

Antti Naakka

Boxer

Niklas Hyvärinen

Boxer

Sauli Helenius

Cornerman

Jussi Lohijoki

Cornerman

Ilkka Ilkare

Documentary Director

Jarmo Kiuru

Documentary Cinematographer

Petri Hytönen

Rich Man

Tom Liljemark

Supplier

Heikki Metsämäki

Supplier

Juha Mäkinen

Supplier

Aku-Petteri Pahkamäki

Supplier

Henri Waltter Rehnström

Supplier

John Bosco Jr.

Davey Moore

Terry Laitala

Moore's Trainer

Shamuel Kohen

Moore's Manager

Deogracias Masomi

American Boxer

Tuomas Airola

Raija Jänkä's Father

Tiina Weckström

Raija Jänkä's Mother

Aaro Airola

Raija Jänkä's Brother

Anna Airola

Raija Jänkä's Sister

Martti Nykänen

Priest

Timo Virolainen

Man in the Church

Tomi Salonen

Man in the Church

Tuomo Kemppainen

Man in the Church

Lea Hotari-Hopia

Woman in the Church

Emilia Leväniemi

Bride

Anton Kuosmanen

Groom

Leo Käkelä

Father of the Bride

Arma Karvonen

Child by the Window

Jalo Kuosmanen

Child by the Window

Toivo Kuosmanen

Child by the Window

Viljami Lahti

Child by the Window

Laila Niemonen

Child by the Window

Joona Korpi

Young Man Swimming

Topi Martinoff

Young Man Swimming

Eeva Mäkinen

Young Woman Swimming

Nelly Nilsson

Model

Marco Melander

Photographer

Saara Salmi

Dresser in the Photo Studio

Claes Andersson

Pianist in the Restaurant

Mika Melender

Manager in the Restaurant

Eija Leinonen

Waiter in the Restaurant

Pia Andersson

Miss-Finland at the Airport

Iiris Anttila

Mermaid

Satu Järvi

Mermaid

Niina Vornanen

Mermaid

Reetta Koskinen

Mermaid

Emilia Jansson

Mermaid

Salla Yli-Luopa

Hairdresser

Kikka Rytkönen

Seller at the Station

Carl Lybäck

Doctor

Jesse Jouhki

Exercise Resistance

Sakari K. Salo

Conductor

Seppo Salminen

Doctor

Tuukka Koistinen

Official

Elli Rintala

Seller in the Jewelry Store

Isto Voutilainen

Boxer in a Match

Erkki Meronen

Judge

Olli Mäki

Man at the Port

Raija Mäki

Woman at the Port

Crew

Juho Kuosmanen

Director

Jussi Rantamäki

Producer

Kari Kankaanpää

Production Design

J-P Passi

Director of Photography

Jussi Rautaniemi

Editor

Sari Suominen

Costume Design

Heikki Kossi

Foley Artist

Sami Kuokkanen

Gaffer

Kenneth Wennström

Lighting Technician

Henri Jurvanen

Lighting Technician

Jamila Wenske

Co-Producer

Sol Bondy

Co-Producer

Peter Albrechtsen

Sound Re-Recording Mixer

Mats Holmgren

Colorist

Pietu Korhonen

Sound Editor

Simon Perry

Co-Producer

Pietu Korhonen

Sound Designer

Emilia Haukka

Second Assistant Director

Janina Witkowski

Second Assistant Camera

Nicklas Wikström Nicastro

Co-Producer

Katarina Krave

Co-Producer

Juho Kuosmanen

Writer

Elina Eränen

Assistant Camera

Aki Laulajainen

Lighting Technician

Mikko Myllylahti

Writer

Auli Mantila

Dramaturgy

Martti Tervo

Line Producer

Veira Airaksinen

Assistant Director

Svante Colérus

Boom Operator

Anastasia Lobkovski

Second Assistant Director

Pietu Korhonen

Production Sound Mixer

Sami Kuokkanen

Still Photographer

Emilia Haukka

Production Coordinator

Miika Snåre

Original Music Composer

Laura Airola

Original Music Composer

Ari Haapaniemi

Wigmaker

Anastasia Lobkovski

Casting

Ville Grönroos

Property Master

Salla Yli-Luopa

Makeup Designer

Joonas Haavisto

Original Music Composer

Eija Hakkarainen

Makeup Artist

Reviews

Reno

⭐ 7/10

March 16, 2017

**Falling in love and rising in boxing!**

This is a Finnish sport-biopic that was an official submission for the 2017 Oscars, but did not make it. Despite inspired by a real person, the film only focused on one event, a big event of his life. Sets in the early 60s, the country's one of the biggest sporting event is about to take place. So the pre-event incidents, including the preparation and all those related affairs were detailed in this film.

It's hard to say that everybody would end up liking it. Especially the sport segment. That's a major drawback of the film, but the other way around this is still very good. Only if you are okay with the facts over entertainment. So as I'm who already saw the film want to give a piece of advice for those who are yet to see it that watch it as a romance film. Yep, it is a better romance film than a boxing film. That's not how the pre developments swings, but it gets there a little late and then ends with an unexpected twist.

An amateur boxer Olli Maki got a shot at pro boxing, so he's heading Helsinki and making preparation to face the strongest opponent coming from the United States. Not just for him, but for the whole country, it is a historical event. So the pressure is on Olli's team to make the right progress, especially to please their sponsors. Seems it was a smooth ride, until Olli find himself in an unwanted distraction, particularly at that time which is a turning point in his professional life. This is the flavour of romance and the boxing, can those two go along? Is what the remaining film carefully revealed.

> ❝This is the shittiest moment to fall in love.❞

Like any sports films we had seen, this film as well all about pre event hype and the final act is given to the grand finale on the ring. Looks 'Cutie and the Boxer' should have been a perfect title, but this is nothing like that documentary film. It was not Olli's whole life, it was his falling and rising. Falling in love and rising to be a great boxer in Finland. But the problem is, both the things happening on the same time. More like romance versus profession. It's off the ring battle for Olli and can he win it, followed by a real battle.

Now you would remember other awesome boxing films where love story and boxing had met like 'Rocky', 'Cinderella Man' and many more. This film is not comparable with them, that's the saddest part of it. It's a black and white film, and the filmmakers say that's because to take us 60 years back to Finland. They used film rolls like the old way of filmmaking. Indeed, it worked, it was the backbone of the film along the great cast. There are many characters, but revolved around only 3-4. The dialogues were minimised and let the pictures talk.

The good news it was a 90 minute film with a decent pace. The one who played Olli was really good, but even in little lesser than that role, Raija enchants us. I can't forget that smile, it still appears front my eyes. Not just Olli, you might as well fall for her (at least for the actress who player that character). I also come to know the real couple's cameo for a brief was in the final scene. This is not the finest Finnish film I've seen, but I respect biopics as they tell the truth. It seems a better film for the older and matured guys, like above 30-35. But stay away if you are looking for a pleasure.

_7/10_

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Status

Released

Original Language

Budget

$1,330,000

Revenue

—

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The Happiest Day in the Life of Olli Mäki (2016)

Juho Kuosmanen, Mikko Myllylahti

Where to watch

Top Billed Cast

Crew

Reviews

Reno

Recommended Movies

Toy Story 5

After We Fell

Irreversible

9 Songs

Status

Original Language

Budget

Revenue

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