The Leaning Tower (2006) User Reviews

One of the best dramatisation of split personality

[paaskynen · 7/10 · 2 June 2009]

A mental patient, Johannes Piipari, suffering from a split personality and schizophrenic symptoms dreams of travelling to Italy and seeing the leaning tower of Pisa with which he identifies himself. He cleverly manipulates an elderly lady into travelling to Italy with her grandchild so that he can follow along with them.

Once in Italy his medication wears off and his symptoms worsen. The film follows events as experienced by Johannes and succeeds in rendering the spectator as bewildered as the mental patient who cannot separate reality from dream and who has no memory of the actions of his alter ego. Thus the film manages to give a worthwhile excursion into the realm of the deranged without slipping into either horror or comedy.

The personal nurse of Johannes, daughter in law to the elderly lady and mother of the little girl, discovers that Johannes has left Finland and travelled to Italy. Worried on account of Johannes not taking his medication, the nurse travels to Italy too in order to bring Johannes back before things get out of hand but this is no easy task considering she is dealing with two men in one body… I found this film very worthwhile including the musical score.

Timo Koivusalo hits rock bottom

[kohtalopoika-1 · 1/10 · 16 November 2006]

I've seen few articles by so called film critics saying that this is Koivusalo's best film so far. In that case I would rather die than watch his earlier movies. I guess that Koivusalo has probably written all those positive comments himself or then Finnish film critics are even crazier than Johannes Piipari (the main character in Kalteva torni).

There is no story in the movie, only erratic behaviour and idiotic action without any sense of direction. Martti Suosalo is too good and believable playing lunatic - his lines are usually nothing but nonsense that the director (who is also writer) finds hilarious but unfortunately his sense of humour is on the same level as his abilities as director. Other cast members are not as good at their performances but that is undoubtedly director's fault once again.

The movie looks fair enough thanks to filming location (sunny Italy) and professionally skilled filming crew but the music is terrible. No wonder since our multi talented director has composed many of the naive songs. Too bad the songs are not performed by Koivusalo but by such great artists as Jore Marjaranta and Susanna Palin (the other composer). (If you have not heard about these artist you can consider yourself very lucky indeed.)

All in all this movie is waste of your precious time and it is only going to make you want to puke your guts out. Timo Koivusalo would make the world a lot better place if he quit making movies.

Not a bad movie at all

[vjaervinen · 8/10 · 27 February 2010]

Contrary to what some have suggested, Kalteva torni, by Timo Koivusalo, is not a bad movie at all. While it may be disappointing to a viewer expecting an intensely thrilling drama, to most others it should serve as a greatly entertaining depiction of man living on the border between the real and unreal.

Kalteva torni is not an action-packed movie about a loony let loose in Italy; instead, it's a soft, gentle and empathetic story about humanity, affection and caring. The value of the movie is not to be found in the plot, nor in the visual realisation. Instead, it offers surprisingly deep portrayals of human beings and their relationships. Much of this is owed to the lead actor Martti Suosalo, a much-experienced and highly talented performer.

When watching this, be sure to expect a peaceful and slow-paced, yet touching account on the backward Finnish mentality put to test in unfamiliar surroundings. If you like movies by such directors as Aki Kaurismäki or Tapio Piirainen, you should be able watch this movie without losing interest.