Dog Nail Clipper
Encyclopedia
Dog Nail Clipper is a 2004
Finnish
film directed by Markku Pölönen
and starring Peter Franzén
and Taisto Reimaluoto
. The film is an adaptation of Finnish author Veikko Huovinen
's 1980 novel of the same name.
In spite of low profits, the film was critically acclaimed receiving positive reviews and winning several major film awards. Dog Nail Clipper was the most successful film at the 2005 Jussi Awards winning in five categories including Best Film, Best Actor, and Best Direction.
) is an intelligent young Finnish soldier fighting against the Soviet Union
in World War II
. During a battle in 1941, Mertsi is shot in the head and sustains substantial brain damage that leaves him unable to cope with the demands of a normal life. Two of his friends, Eetvi (Taisto Reimaluoto
) and Ville (Ahti Kuoppala), try to help him by getting him employed at their places of work so that they can keep an eye on him. But both jobs — construction with Ville and logging with Eetvi — prove to be beyond Mertsi's current ability. Ville tells Mertsi about his dog back home and speaks warmly about his companionship and his concern for the dog's well-being due to the overly long claws. Mertsi decides to travel to Ville's village and take care of the dog by clipping his nails
. Due to Mertsi's inability to take care of himself, his trip to the village and his stay with the dog are marked by the kindness and compassion of complete strangers who help Mertsi in his quest to make himself feel like a useful and needed member of the society.
called the film "Markku Polonen's most mature work to date" and citing, among other things, "Peter Franzen's standout performance" as reason behind film's success. In a separate review in 2008, Weissberg referred to Dog Nail Clipper as "emotionally satisfying but quirky". Weissberg also offered his opinion that the title of the film gives a false impression of the film's thematic subject and that it "may hamper international sales". Film critic Rich Cline called the film "emotionally resonant and relevant" concluding that "it's a simple, moving film".
2004 in film
The year 2004 in film involved some significant events. Major releases of sequels took place. It included blockbuster films like Shrek 2, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, The Passion of the Christ, Meet the Fockers, Blade: Trinity, Spider-Man 2, Alien vs. Predator, Kill Bill Vol...
Finnish
Finland
Finland , officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of Northern Europe. It is bordered by Sweden in the west, Norway in the north and Russia in the east, while Estonia lies to its south across the Gulf of Finland.Around 5.4 million people reside...
film directed by Markku Pölönen
Markku Pölönen
Markku Pölönen is a Finnish film director, screenwriter, editor and owner of film production company Suomen Filmiteollisuus...
and starring Peter Franzén
Peter Franzén (actor)
Peter Franzén is a Finnish actor who has appeared in over 40 films and TV series. Of these, the most famous are A Summer by the River, Ambush, Mustan kissan kuja, Badding, On the Road to Emmaus, Rölli ja metsänhenki, Kuutamolla, Bad Boys, Dog Nail Clipper, Matti and Hellsinki...
and Taisto Reimaluoto
Taisto Reimaluoto
Taisto Reimaluoto is a Finnish actor.Reimaluoto began his career in films and in 1994, he appeared in Aapo as the lead character....
. The film is an adaptation of Finnish author Veikko Huovinen
Veikko Huovinen
Veikko Huovinen was a Finnish novelist known for his realism, pacifism, sharp intellect, and peculiar humor. He wrote 37 books.-Early life:...
's 1980 novel of the same name.
In spite of low profits, the film was critically acclaimed receiving positive reviews and winning several major film awards. Dog Nail Clipper was the most successful film at the 2005 Jussi Awards winning in five categories including Best Film, Best Actor, and Best Direction.
Plot
Mertsi (Peter FranzénPeter Franzén (actor)
Peter Franzén is a Finnish actor who has appeared in over 40 films and TV series. Of these, the most famous are A Summer by the River, Ambush, Mustan kissan kuja, Badding, On the Road to Emmaus, Rölli ja metsänhenki, Kuutamolla, Bad Boys, Dog Nail Clipper, Matti and Hellsinki...
) is an intelligent young Finnish soldier fighting against the Soviet Union
Soviet Union
The Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....
in World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. During a battle in 1941, Mertsi is shot in the head and sustains substantial brain damage that leaves him unable to cope with the demands of a normal life. Two of his friends, Eetvi (Taisto Reimaluoto
Taisto Reimaluoto
Taisto Reimaluoto is a Finnish actor.Reimaluoto began his career in films and in 1994, he appeared in Aapo as the lead character....
) and Ville (Ahti Kuoppala), try to help him by getting him employed at their places of work so that they can keep an eye on him. But both jobs — construction with Ville and logging with Eetvi — prove to be beyond Mertsi's current ability. Ville tells Mertsi about his dog back home and speaks warmly about his companionship and his concern for the dog's well-being due to the overly long claws. Mertsi decides to travel to Ville's village and take care of the dog by clipping his nails
Nail clipper
A nail cutter is a hand tool used to trim fingernails and toenails.-Design:Nail cutters are usually made of metal but can also be made of plastic. Two common varieties are the plier type and the compound lever type. A third variety of the push-button type has also been introduced. All are common...
. Due to Mertsi's inability to take care of himself, his trip to the village and his stay with the dog are marked by the kindness and compassion of complete strangers who help Mertsi in his quest to make himself feel like a useful and needed member of the society.
Cast and characters
- Peter FranzénPeter Franzén (actor)Peter Franzén is a Finnish actor who has appeared in over 40 films and TV series. Of these, the most famous are A Summer by the River, Ambush, Mustan kissan kuja, Badding, On the Road to Emmaus, Rölli ja metsänhenki, Kuutamolla, Bad Boys, Dog Nail Clipper, Matti and Hellsinki...
— Mertsi Arhippa Vepsäläinen - Taisto ReimaluotoTaisto ReimaluotoTaisto Reimaluoto is a Finnish actor.Reimaluoto began his career in films and in 1994, he appeared in Aapo as the lead character....
— Eetvi Manninen - Ahti Kuoppala — Ville Kuosmanen
- Ville Virtanen — Foreman Luti
- Risto Salmi — Turpeinen
Critical response
The film was a success with critics, receiving mostly positive reviews and winning several major film awards. Jay Weissberg of VarietyVariety (magazine)
Variety is an American weekly entertainment-trade magazine founded in New York City, New York, in 1905 by Sime Silverman. With the rise of the importance of the motion-picture industry, Daily Variety, a daily edition based in Los Angeles, California, was founded by Silverman in 1933. In 1998, the...
called the film "Markku Polonen's most mature work to date" and citing, among other things, "Peter Franzen's standout performance" as reason behind film's success. In a separate review in 2008, Weissberg referred to Dog Nail Clipper as "emotionally satisfying but quirky". Weissberg also offered his opinion that the title of the film gives a false impression of the film's thematic subject and that it "may hamper international sales". Film critic Rich Cline called the film "emotionally resonant and relevant" concluding that "it's a simple, moving film".
Won
- Rouen Nordic Film FestivalRouen Nordic Film FestivalThe Rouen Nordic Film Festival was a film festival hold in Rouen, France for screening and competition films made in Nordic and Baltic countries, Holland and Belgium...
(2004)- Audience Award
- Hamburg Film Festival (2004)
- Audience Award
- Jussi Awards (2005)
- Best Film
- Best Direction — Markku PölönenMarkku PölönenMarkku Pölönen is a Finnish film director, screenwriter, editor and owner of film production company Suomen Filmiteollisuus...
- Best Actor — Peter FranzénPeter Franzén (actor)Peter Franzén is a Finnish actor who has appeared in over 40 films and TV series. Of these, the most famous are A Summer by the River, Ambush, Mustan kissan kuja, Badding, On the Road to Emmaus, Rölli ja metsänhenki, Kuutamolla, Bad Boys, Dog Nail Clipper, Matti and Hellsinki...
- Best Script — Markku Pölönen
- Best Cinematography — Kari Sohlberg
- Anjalankoski Film Sunday (2005)
- Anjalankoski Film Prize — Markku Pölönen
Nominated
- Jussi Awards (2005)
- Best Set Design — Minna Santakari (lost to Jussi Halonen, Samuli Halla, and Petri Neuvonen for Pelicanman)