Description

Last Cowboy Standing 2009
Skavabölen pojat (original title)
2h 3min | Drama | 4 September 2009 (Finland)

Storyline:

In 1972, Rupert, 8 and Evert, 6 are two lovable and wildly imaginative brothers, lost in their cowboys-and-Indians fantasies and in the playground romances with the neighborhood girls. In the background is the warm but explosive and unstable mother, and the charming but unreliable father. The family has moved to a new house, the future looks bright. Everything starts to fall apart when Rupert finds a hidden letter. There are terrible fights and hushed whispers, then mom is taken somewhere to rest for a while. Later on there is confusing talk about a new mom. The brothers make a blood oath: One can’t lie or die or one has to pay the other a million or more for the rest of his life. Rupert tries to hold the family together. But finally things get too complicated, and real tragedy waits in the wings of the fantasy plays. In 1982 the guilt-ridden 18-year-old Rupert tries to remember and understand the events of the past amidst the chaos of the present. If he doesn’t find absolution, the family tragedy will be repeated and the curse will live on. Dad is coming home and the blood oath is about to be broken.

User review:

I don’t think the plot describes this movie very well. The father isn’t especially abusive and he didn’t make his son do anything special. The conflict between the brothers is minor.

The main problems include alcoholism, mental health problems, bad communication, guilt and isolation, problems that are very common in Finnsh culture.

The movie is a wonderful presentation of Finnish middle class life in the 70s and 80s from the perspective of two boys. The cast is acting very well and it’s easy to sense the atmosphere. The characters are believable and there’s time enough in the movie to make all the main characters deep enough.

The movie is both funny and tragic. It is full of life even in the midst of deepest depression.

As a Finnish guy growing up in the 70s, this movie was personally very touching, but I think the issues dealt here are quite global and will touch hearts around the world.

I would love to hear other comments.

Director: Zaida Bergroth
Writers: Antti Raivio (play), Jan Forsström (screenplay)
Stars: Ilmari Järvenpää, Onni Tommila, Lauri Tilkanen

Last Cowboy Standing 2009 with English Subtitles 10

6.6Rating: 6.6 / 10 from 533 users

In 1972, Rupert, 8 and Evert, 6 are two lovable and wildly imaginative brothers, lost in their cowboys-and-Indians fantasies and in the playground romances with the neighborhood girls. In …