Vodkaa, komisario Palmu

This one just doesn't fit in the Palmu series and is sometimes seen as the black sheep. First time in colour, fourth Palmu movie mixes unfaithful lovers and jealous killers, corrupted politicians and left-wing idealistic reporters trying to expose these bad guys.

In this one charismatic Palmu is already retired from police work. Matti Ranin's character (Virta) is nowadays a strict parliament lap-dog and Kokki ("cook" in Finnish) -- surprise, surprise -- owner of a restaurant. Palmu gathers together with Kokki for his last case and pressure between Virta & Palmu gets heated as Palmu is working for the media and Virta for the state. Sadly, old Palmu is a senile husband, not detective with a razor-sharp wit like he used to be.

This is a half-assed attempt to create something more epic than the last Palmu movies and their grassroot level crimes and situations. This is more of a brave Soviet agents go James Bond in Finland than a Palmu movie -- with some obvious tension between Finland and Soviet Union, something non-Finnish viewer might not see. **/*****

This production is the only one not based on a book by the original author of the Palmu series, Mika Valtari, and one can easily notice that. Consequently the quality of the plot is lower than in previous titles. They were classical murder-mysteries in the spirit of Agatha Christie, and this one rather belongs to the thriller genre. It was made several years after the previous films, and unlike them, it was made in color. I have seen worse acting in movies, but it is not charismatic or phenomenal either. Mostly the movie just feels like a forced sequel to make cash on a popular character. I am definitely not going to rewatch this, once was enough.

"Vodkaa, Komisario Palmu" is the last of the four Palmu films, and the first one made in color. It is different from the previous three in other ways, too: Palmu is now married and retired, living in the country, and takes up a murder case (the stabbing of a reporter) as a private investigator. The mystery itself is secondary, as the film tries to be more of a political thriller (about the tense Finland - Russia relationship), an action movie (with some admittedly impressive helicopter stunts), and even a musical (!). For all that effort, the results are mediocre. Anna-Leena Mäki-Penttilä, as Palmu's assistant, who spends nearly the entire movie in figure-hugging sweaters, does have a great....figure. The first Palmu outing ("Error", from 1960) is far and away the best. ** out of 4.

This is the last one of the brilliant Komisario Palmu series (recently released on DVD, except the first movie Komisario Palmun Erehdys). Many years had passed since the creation of the previous Palmu movie and this last one was filmed in color. Some other things had changed too: Palmu had retired from the office, found himself a wife and moved to the countryside. He gets involved in the story when the employer of the murdered reporter asks him to investigate the case for them.

Unlike the previous films Vodkaa, Komisario Palmu isn't based on a novel by Mika Waltari, instead it is written by the director Matti Kassila himself. The common opinion of the public (and the director as well) seems to be that this is easily the worst Komisario Palmu movie, but I disagree about that. It's just different, it's not bad. Theme of the movie is much more political and open that in the other films, but it keeps the viewer interested very well.

The last Komisario Palmu continues the tradition of great acting. Palmu (Joel Rinne), Kokki (Leo Jokela) and Virta (Matti Ranin) are as great as in the previous ones, and especially Leo Jokela does again an awesome job as Kokki. Also note the breathtakingly beautiful Inga Sulin as Tamara.

In my opinion this is a good ending to the best Finnish film series ever. I think I'll have to buy those DVD:s... 8/10

If it were only for my nostalgia for the old Helsinki and a depiction of a time under tight regulations of the Finnish media, I would rate the movie as worth of 7 or 8 stars out of 10, but the acting and pacing is so clumsy, one cannot pass it. Joel Rinne is one of the few saving graces of the cast, as his interpretation of inspector Palmu is as timely as ever. The cinematography and editing is sometimes quite clumsy and character motivations slim. Also, the director wasn't quite up to the challenge at the time. The previous Palmu movies did a far better job at setting up the crime and depicting a logical, somewhat humorous journey to the reveal of the murderer.