Eila (2003) User Reviews

Ordinary people can sometimes do extraordinary things

[FilmCriticLalitRao · 6/10 · 28 August 2008]

In Finland,it is not only maverick filmmaker Aki Kaurismaki who is making films about ordinary mortals who are having troubles being part of Finnish society.Meaningful films about Finnish society and its problems are made on a regular basis by other directors too as they are not turning a blind eye to the ills of their society.It is a positive development that their artistic conscience is forcing them to do something for the betterment of Finnish society and Finnish cinema.Jarmo Lampela is one such director who has made a thought provoking film called "Eila".It is about an ordinary person who is threatened by both society as well as Finnish state.In this film,one can see how a sacked cleaning woman fights an unprecedented battle to regain her lost dignity.For many people the sacking of a cleaning woman might be termed as an ordinary event which deserves to be forgotten.This is not the case with Eila.She is the only one who feels that she is determined to challenge the state to get some justice for the discrimination done against her.This is a nice film which shows that there are times when ordinary people are capable of doing extra ordinary things in their lives.

A shade of Frank Capra in our days

[MadFish · 10/10 · 16 March 2006]

A woman who has worked all her life in the same cleaning company is discharged with no proper reason among a big group of workers. The situation is difficult as she would need money to help her son who just got out of jail.

"Eila" is a glorious anthem for the strength of community as they realize to understand the mutual and realistic goals of justice in the tough world of business. The viewer can also focus on the kind mother's individual growth who refuses to be pushed around no more.

Jarno Lampela sticks to be the very professional director of the day with this movie which would even make old Frank Capra smile.