Tove (2020) User Reviews

Nice and heartwarming story about one of Finland's most famous authors

[Vartiainen · 6/10 · 3 November 2020]

Tove Jansson was a Swedish-speaking Finnish author and artist born in the 1910s to an artist family. Internationally she's most well-known as the author of the Moomin books and comics strips. This film is the story of her formative years and how she came up with the Moomin characters.

Upon its release it became the second most expensive Finnish film made to that point. And it does look good, I'll give it that, although I'm still not sure just why it needed such a large budget. But the locations and costumes look good. The film is also shot, edited and acted really well, with special mention going to Alma Pöysti as the leading character.

It's also interesting to see the author behind these beloved characters and how her own life influenced the books. Jansson's own rather bohemian lifestyle is definitely reflected in the books and her various acquaintances and friends that would eventually inspire many of the Moomins are also really interesting.

That being said, the film is not as Moomin-heavy as you'd think. It's more a story about a struggling artist and her various trials and tribulations. Successes and losses in both her career and personal life. And while that is interesting enough, I confess to being somewhat disappointed that there wasn't more Moomin content in this film. Then again, Jansson herself expressed in her later years that she's a tad miffed she's only known for Moomins. So perhaps in that regard this film is more respectful to her than many other sources have been.

Nevertheless, it's a great film to look up. Technically sound, well-written and beautifully acted. Not awe-inspiring or overly emotional, but then again, it doesn't need to be.

She wanted to be taken seriously as an artist

[Red-125 · 8/10 · 19 May 2021]

The Finnish film Tove (2020) was directed by Zaida Bergroth. It stars Alma Pöysti as Tove Jansson, "one of the most beloved Finnish writers/cartoonists/artists," according to a knowledgeable reviewer.

Tove was the creator of the Moomins, important characters in Swedish-language books and comic strips. (Jansson was a member of the Swedish-speaking minority in Finland.) She also wrote novels and children's fiction.

Alma Pöysti is a brilliant actor, and she makes Jansson's character come alive. This is important, because Pöysti is on the screen almost all the time. The movie rises or falls based on her skills.

The movie has two major plots. One plot revolves around the fact that Jansson wanted to be a recognized artist, not a cartoonist. Another plot involves Jansson's sexuality.

We saw this film at Rochester's wonderful Dryden Theatre, presented by ImageOut, the great LGBT film festival. (Of course, all safety protocols were in place.)

Tove has an IMDb rating of 7.2. I thought it was better than that, and rated it 8.

Alma Pöysti makes a multi-dimensional role

[vesa-taatila · 7/10 · 17 October 2020]

The story of the formative years of Tove Jansson, the creator or popular Moomin-stories and charactes relies heavily on the excellent performance of Alma Pöysti. She is able to show the inner struggles and uncertainties of the main character, under the pressures of her father, poverty, artistic dreams and endeavours, and two main love interests. The support cast is also mainly ok, and the production values are better than average for a Finnish film. The director is able to play with camera angles and portray the characters in interesting compositions, but the dialogue would have benefited for a bit more work. The movie feels also a bit too long for its story line - some more drama might have been in order. Overall this is one of the best Finnish films for the last years, well worth watching.

What a huge disappointment

[pint-95582 · 6/10 · 9 October 2021]

Everything would have been there, good leading actress and great setting but instead of telling us basically anything about what made Tove Jansson popular there seems to be some modern day fixation in the fact that she was lesbian. Not really sure whats the point in emphasizing that? I mean we are already living an age whee atleast in western world nobody really cares whats your sexuality, so there is absolutely no need of these kind of hero stories that puts sexuality in the focus instead of the actual person and her lifes work? Personally I liked the movie to certain degreee, it told the story of Tove living an "artist life", and that was done well. But even though the intention of director clearly came theough, its so unbelievably superficial at same time and I was ultimately disappointed. The movie seemed to be more about director wanting to pinpoint some topics that interested her than actually telling us about Tove. Tove may be some sort of hero in the lesbian community but its not really what made her interesting, it was her art. What was so bothering was that the art was barely there, it was like a side story when it should have had clearly so much more focus. Now only thing that you learn from the art is also the lesbian element of couple of characters which sre at no way in center point of the moomin either.

Gentle retelling of part of Tove Jansson's life

[davidallenxyz · 6/10 · 17 June 2022]

Simply made, yet well crafted, "Tove" tells the story of the author's life in the years directly following the second world war, and the relationships and influences that led her to fame.

Unfortunately (and it always feels rather mean to write this about a film based on real life), there simply isn't enough drama in the story to make it really engaging

It does somewhat fall into the "lesbian period drama" trope, but a little bit of gay scandal isn't a reason to seek out a film in 2022. And based on the reactions of characters in the film, it was entirely tolerated in Helsinki's "artistic" circles anyway.

Husbands don't seem to mind affairs, struggling artists still seem to have the means to visit Paris, and already-published authors of children's cartoons seem to make a big fuss about how they would rather be a painter.

People should be more upset by divorce and deceit and failure. "Tove" is just too nice.

I was not impressed

[khemass · 6/10 · 2 October 2023]

I agree with some of the reviews here that said they came with an expectation to see inspiring or interesting biography of a cartoonist who create lovely cartoon characters, but then found that this is rather a "lesbian sex movie." What I saw in the movie when about half way through was Tuwe dancing wildly, drinking, smoking, having sex with a married man and having sex with a married woman. She didn't get along with her father. She struggled to become a famous artist and struggled financially in the beginning. She looked confused and stubborn. And there is nothing else I can see. I don't know what to make sense about all of these.

The good part of the film is the performance of the lead character and also of the one who played Vivika, her lover. There characters are strong and you can see the personality clearly. There is nothing wrong with the production, but nothing impressive either. There are parts that could have been cut off.

In conclusion, I think Moomins are cute cartoon characters but after I watched the story of the author, I'm not interested to read these comic books. I don't judge Tuwe the real person or anything. It's just her character presented in this movie doesn't have the kind of life that inspire me at all.

A warm story of one of the most beloved Finnish writers/cartoonists/artists

[jujujokhyt · 9/10 · 29 September 2020]

The story focuses on Tove Janssons formative years as an artist, during which time she also developed her most known characters, the moomins a lot. The film is well made, acting is top notch (especially Alma Pöysti in the lead role) and left me with a warm feeling. Don't expect a dramatic epoch or an intense drama with unexpected twist and turns.

A biographical film about Moomin's creator- Tove Jansson.

[Indep-Thinker · 7/10 · 17 December 2022]

Normally, biographical films are not too cheerful, but rather conservative, this movie is an exemption from the rule.

Tove is an artist who wants to go further beyond the restrictions provided to her by society. So, she does not follow the "norms" which would be allowed her to get a grant and approval from her own father, who was an artist too. Therefore, she barely survives economically having trouble even paying rent.

However, she has spiritual strength for doesn't give up, and step by step she creates a whole world of Moomin.

Thanks to a chance she was able to open an exhibition of her Muumilaakso heroes and get recognition.

The conclusion: Tove was able to survive and bring to the children and adults her passion, but how about other artists?

Thousands of artists apply for a grant to cover their basic cost of living and only 10% of them get the help ( Finland, the year 2018). Therefore, 90 % of the artists left without any financial support are forced to give up on their passion and go to a brutal job to cover basic bills.

And how many of them are capable to survive?

Any economically developed society must recognize the value of Art and Creativity. Besides traditional museums, Houses of Emerging Artists must be established in each capital city, where they can exhibit their art in tangible or digital formats.

That will bring great visibility and value of Art into Society attracting investors, partners, and ordinary people uplifting society as a whole.

More than just a cartoonist

[Pairic · 8/10 · 13 July 2021]

Tove: Tove Jansson (Alma Poysti) wasn't just the creator of the Moomins, she was an artist, a writer, a playwright. Tove illustrates this as it covers her life from 1944 to the late 1950's. Her passion for people and for the Arts is vividly depicted, as is the poverty of her early days, denied grants she paid her rent with paintings. She finds her studio/apartment after Helsinki is bombed in 1944 and turns that into a work of art as well. Though the Moomins brought her financial security she felt it took away from her real work and her demanding sculptor father Viktor (Robert Enckell) criticised it as not being art. Her love life was unconventional, she had ongoing affairs with politician/philosopher Atos Wirtanen (Shanti Roney) and theatrical director Vivica Bandler (Krista Kosonen). Vivica's polyamory caused her heartbreak, she had even left Atos for her. The relationship was central to her life and work until she could finally find love elsewhere. A moving tale of Art, Love and Friendship. Directed by Zaida Bergrothy from a Screenplay by Eeva Putro and Jamo Elonen. 8/10.

Brilliant

[magda-strong · 10/10 · 12 June 2022]

I seldom give 10's but this is a brilliant movie, wonderful ly acted and directed and cinematography just fantastic.

It touched me deeply in its rawness and honesty and though not familiar with this artist before, was taken aback by the beautiful artistic work and the main characters journey into finding her way and her identity through her work.

I stand by scandavian movies and series being the best and possibly grossly undervalued.

An unremarkable biopic

[MiguelAReina · 5/10 · 29 January 2021]

This biopic about the artist Tove Jansson opens the Festival, which focuses on her relationship with her great love, not fully reciprocated. Leaving on a secondary plane other relationships that seem more interesting to us, such as the one she maintains with her father, this biopic is conventional. There is an unrequited double relationship, but the script unbalances her interest. Everything is in its place, but nothing stands out especially, except the work of the actress Alma Pöysti.

"Moomins Don't Dance"

[richardchatten · 8/10 · 11 June 2022]

One is so used to seeing photographs of Tove Jansson in her middle age it comes as quite a shock to see her in her youth. Alma Poysti looks exactly right as both the gangling young Jansson and the mature woman with the artist's common frustration that the work that sells is not exactly what she'd set her heart on. For a celebrated children's writer the only really jarring note is her constant chain-smoking.

Interesting topic, superficial approach

[heholmi · 4/10 · 17 November 2020]

I feel that the story line ought to have begun in the 1930s and discussed Tove's arguments with her father much more deeply, among others. Also, I feel that Tove must have been more intelligent than the film lets on; in reality, she was very politically-oriented, for example. Now it's a very shallow flick.

Too bad, could have been good

[raidatlanta · 5/10 · 13 November 2020]

I wish they could have found more subject matter, to make a film about a great artist and author, than to shove as many "bohemian artist drinking", "look at me, I'm dancing", and lesbian sex scenes, into this film as possible. It gets unfortunately dull pretty quick.

Tove

[jboothmillard · 4/10 · 28 January 2023]

It was a coincidence that at the time this film was shown on television, my brother was dating someone with the same name as the title character, and I was more interested finding out about who it focused on. Basically, it is about the Swedish-speaking Finnish author and illustrator Tove Jansson (Alma Pöysti), creator of the Moomins. It opens in 1945 Helsinki, following the end of the Second World War, when Tove is a painter with a sense of artistic and social freedom. She develops a lesbian relationship with theatre director Vivica Bandler (Krista Kosonen), and later has an affair with married politician Atos Wirtanen (Shanti Roney). Tove struggle in her personal life, with her sculptor father being strict and the feeling that the love she feels for her lovers is perhaps unreciprocated, and creative endeavours take her in an unexpected direction. While focusing on her dream to become an established artist, the work that started as a side project, the stories of the Moomins, eventually lead her to fame and fortune. The books lead to a daily comic strip, a stage play and stories, the television cartoon and an animated feature film, and toys and merchandise that continue to delight people around the world. Also starring Joanna Haartti as Tuulikki Pietilä, Eeva Putro as Maya Vanni, Jakob Öhrman as Sam Vanni, Robert Enckell as Viktor 'Faffan' Jansson, and Kajsa Ernst as Signe 'Ham' Jansson. I was really hoping for more insight into the Moomins, obviously it is seen that events in the character's life influence her stories, but all we see really is her drawing the recognisable characters, i.e. Moomintroll, Snorkmaiden, Snufkin, Little My. I found it to be one of those really quiet films where not very much happens, some lesbian scenes, a lot of drawing, and a little artwork, it does make it obvious that the artist shied away from the spotlight, but I was hoping for much more and I got a little bored, it's just an average Finnish biographical drama. Okay!

Disappointed

[elisaleprev · 5/10 · 30 December 2023]

Well I watched it, but as someone who was/is enchanted by the Moomins even into adulthood, I felt cheated. I personally have very little interest in most people's sex lives, but I am especially uninterested in the sex lives of people who would have So Much more interesting things to talk about. She obviously grew up inspired by the countryside, and there's a lot of that in the Moomins. This was unexplored. And then there was the delightful mother role, who obviously inspired the character of Moomintroll's mother, but whose character was shamefully unexplored. How anyone can make a film like this about something so fascinating and just focus on sex and longing for romance is TOTALLY BEYOND ME. I was quite disappointed. I am just not very interested in knowing about people's sex lives. Not even if they were gay in a time when it as frowned upon by some. I am far more interested in their intellect and ideas. I consider this film to be full of missed opportunities. They didn't even explore why Vivica, the lover/theatre director had the fantastic idea of making a children's play about the Moomins, which in itself must have been a new, breakthrough genre of theatre. That was genius. If I had made this film it would have been better, and I don't say that lightly.

I was misled

[kmr-22308 · 1/10 · 13 August 2022]

I thought this would be a movie more about (and honoring) her artist life and her sweet house in the Gulf of Finland. Instead I got two hours of lesbian sex. Yawn.

Average Lesbian Film.

[adamjohns-42575 · 5/10 · 1 September 2022]

Tove (2020) -

A lot of people are going to criticise this film for not focusing on The Moomins enough and I must confess that I am one of them. The Moomins were the reason that I turned up to this film in the first place after all.

While I was initially happy to learn about the creator, I thought that with another twenty minutes or so about the funny little trolls, as well as the rest of the story, her dramatised life could have been a more successful film, because it would give those needing something a bit more Hollywood-ised what they wanted too.

It didn't help that the romance that developed and her other life wasn't exactly outrageous or that intriguing. It was certainly not a new story, the post war lesbian romance has been done and it seemed to lack passion.

I think that I was hoping that it would be a more joyous production too, based on the wonder I knew of The Moomins that I loved so much as a child and probably still would if the originals weren't so hard and expensive to get hold of.

I knew nothing about Tove, other than her writing and illustration credits and only then because I had loved that felt animation, so I found it hard to know if this film was a true representation of her life.

I don't know if it made it easier or more difficult to watch, because I had no idea of her actual history.

If I had watched a film about George Lucas or J. K. Rowling, I probably would have had a feeling about how it should have been or at least an opinion, because I feel I know them well, but it was hard to say if the film was done well, not knowing what she was really like. In some ways it made it easier to watch, because I could concentrate on the story, rather than criticising the errors all the way through, but it also showed that the story was by no means a rollercoaster of emotion for the viewer.

Usually I read all of the IMDB trivia and it tells me why the film was made wrong or what was so right about it, but there was very little to glean from the three posts there. I didn't think that I would glean anything from Wikipedia either.

It was also really difficult to get the emotions from a language that is almost completely alien to me. As such I couldn't really tell you whether their performances were Oscar worthy. The only one that I felt some real feeling from was the character of Atos, played by Shanti Roney and that was easy, because he was the most mistreated.

Tove and Vivica's romance actually reminded me of the relationship between Vince and Stuart in 'Queer As Folk (UK)' (1999). That unrequited feeling and the hurt that goes with seeing the person you love kissing and sleeping with everyone else but you, is not easy to deal with.

They torture you so you can't be apart from them and can't find someone new, whilst also keeping you at arms length for when you're needed.

And poor old Atos got to be the substitute in the meantime.

I realise that the film was made by the people from Jansson's country of origin, but I wanted something a bit more, to truly learn how the animations and stories she created were imagined and came to be. The European, art house cinema experience that was produced was fine as a lesbian romance film, but didn't have anything extra. It could have been anyones story.

I do find with a lot of Euro cinema that it is either filmed with a dull filter or made in a strange comedic way, this was the first. It wouldn't normally bother me, but even the party scenes were somewhat dreary and depressing, like no matter what, Tove could never be happy.

There was some really great swing music used as part of the soundtrack though, but even that didn't cheer things up for very long.

Maybe those with more knowledge of the artist may enjoy the film more than I did, but as a general viewer I didn't gain anything from the experience except perhaps the need to search eBay for The Moomins DVDs, because the story on its own was nothing new or exciting.

458.99/1000.

Disappointing

[Janet1612 · 1/10 · 18 June 2022]

I was looking forward to this, as I love biographies and knew nothing about the author/artist of the The Moomins.

Tove wants to be an artist - she wants to be taken seriously as an artist. Her dad is a well known and respected artist, her family are artistically talented. Dad sees her talent as wasted and their relationship is a little strained.

Tove's doodles result in The Mooomins, children's characters I was never a fan of, nor were my children, or anyone I know.

Anyway, we see a bit of the working and rise in popularity of her Moomins, but we see more of her sexual exploits and 'relationships'.

I was not drawn to, nor liked Tove's character. Nice drama with the family and initial rivalry with dad, but not the most interesting or engrossing film/bio.

Expected more

[uniikki-22344 · 5/10 · 14 January 2024]

This could have been a great movie. I don't want to make spoilers, but it just felt that this was a scratch from the surface. I wanted to see more of the life with Tuulikki. I'm disappointed because I waited for this film for a long time.

The moving camera and too much close-ups annoyed me, I would have enjoyed seeing more static shot, especially since the era and the architecture and stunning, and the Finnish nature and the weather if impressive. The constant movement made my head spin.

They could have included more deeper dive also to the moomin world, open up a bit what is the connection with the characters and real life people.