Videos
The Happiest Day in the Life of Olli Mäki
The Happiest Day in the Life of Olli Mäki
Summer 1962 and Olli Mäki has a shot at the world championship title in featherweight boxing. From the Finnish countryside to the bright lights of Helsinki, everything has been prepared for his fame and fortune. All Olli has to do is lose weight and concentrate. But there is a problem – he has fallen in love with Raija.
rating
6.6
runtime
95 min

Release

2016-09-02

Cast

Jarkko Lahti
Jarkko Lahti
as Olli Mäki
Oona Airola
Oona Airola
as Raija Jänkä
Eero Milonoff
Eero Milonoff
as Elis Ask
Joanna Haartti
Joanna Haartti
as Laila Ask
Esko Barquero
Esko Barquero
as Snadi
Elma Milonoff
Elma Milonoff
as Evi
Leimu Leisti
Leimu Leisti
as Tuula
Hilma Milonoff
Hilma Milonoff
as Anneli
Olli Rahkonen
Olli Rahkonen
as Boxer
Joonas Saartamo
Joonas Saartamo
as Boxer
Henrik Palosaari
Henrik Palosaari
as Boxer / Boxer in a Match
Sam-Peter Hirvikangas
Sam-Peter Hirvikangas
as Boxer
Antti Naakka
Antti Naakka
as Boxer
Niklas Hyvärinen
Niklas Hyvärinen
as Boxer
Sauli Helenius
Sauli Helenius
as Cornerman
Jussi Lohijoki
Jussi Lohijoki
as Cornerman
Ilkka Ilkare
Ilkka Ilkare
as Documentary Director
Jarmo Kiuru
Jarmo Kiuru
as Documentary Cinematographer
Petri Hytönen
Petri Hytönen
as Rich Man
Tom Liljemark
Tom Liljemark
as Supplier
Heikki Metsämäki
Heikki Metsämäki
as Supplier
Juha Mäkinen
Juha Mäkinen
as Supplier
Aku-Petteri Pahkamäki
Aku-Petteri Pahkamäki
as Supplier
Henri Waltter Rehnström
Henri Waltter Rehnström
as Supplier
John Bosco Jr.
John Bosco Jr.
as Davey Moore
Terry Laitala
Terry Laitala
as Moore's Trainer
Shamuel Kohen
Shamuel Kohen
as Moore's Manager
Deogracias Masomi
Deogracias Masomi
as American Boxer
Tuomas Airola
Tuomas Airola
as Raija Jänkä's Father
Tiina Weckström
Tiina Weckström
as Raija Jänkä's Mother
Aaro Airola
Aaro Airola
as Raija Jänkä's Brother
Anna Airola
Anna Airola
as Raija Jänkä's Sister
Martti Nykänen
Martti Nykänen
as Priest
Timo Virolainen
Timo Virolainen
as Man in the Church
Tomi Salonen
Tomi Salonen
as Man in the Church
Tuomo Kemppainen
Tuomo Kemppainen
as Man in the Church
Lea Hotari-Hopia
Lea Hotari-Hopia
as Woman in the Church
Emilia Leväniemi
Emilia Leväniemi
as Bride
Anton Kuosmanen
Anton Kuosmanen
as Groom
Leo Käkelä
Leo Käkelä
as Father of the Bride
Arma Karvonen
Arma Karvonen
as Child by the Window
Jalo Kuosmanen
Jalo Kuosmanen
as Child by the Window
Toivo Kuosmanen
Toivo Kuosmanen
as Child by the Window
Viljami Lahti
Viljami Lahti
as Child by the Window
Laila Niemonen
Laila Niemonen
as Child by the Window
Joona Korpi
Joona Korpi
as Young Man Swimming
Topi Martinoff
Topi Martinoff
as Young Man Swimming
Eeva Mäkinen
Eeva Mäkinen
as Young Woman Swimming
Nelly Nilsson
Nelly Nilsson
as Model
Marco Melander
Marco Melander
as Photographer
Saara Salmi
Saara Salmi
as Dresser in the Photo Studio
Claes Andersson
Claes Andersson
as Pianist in the Restaurant
Mika Melender
Mika Melender
as Manager in the Restaurant
Eija Leinonen
Eija Leinonen
as Waiter in the Restaurant
Pia Andersson
Pia Andersson
as Miss-Finland at the Airport
Iiris Anttila
Iiris Anttila
as Mermaid
Satu Järvi
Satu Järvi
as Mermaid
Niina Vornanen
Niina Vornanen
as Mermaid
Reetta Koskinen
Reetta Koskinen
as Mermaid
Emilia Jansson
Emilia Jansson
as Mermaid
Salla Yli-Luopa
Salla Yli-Luopa
as Hairdresser
Kikka Rytkönen
Kikka Rytkönen
as Seller at the Station
Carl Lybäck
Carl Lybäck
as Doctor
Jesse Jouhki
Jesse Jouhki
as Exercise Resistance
Sakari K. Salo
Sakari K. Salo
as Conductor
Seppo Salminen
Seppo Salminen
as Doctor
Tuukka Koistinen
Tuukka Koistinen
as Official
Elli Rintala
Elli Rintala
as Seller in the Jewelry Store
Isto Voutilainen
Isto Voutilainen
as Boxer in a Match
Erkki Meronen
Erkki Meronen
as Judge
Olli Mäki
Olli Mäki
as Man at the Port
Raija Mäki
Raija Mäki
as Woman at the Port
REVIEWS
NA

Rangan

**Falling in love and rising in boxing!** This is a Finnish sport-biopic that was an official submission for the 2017 Oscars, but did not make it. Despite inspired by a real person, the film only focused on one event, a big event of his life. Sets in the early 60s, the country's one of the biggest sporting event is about to take place. So the pre-event incidents, including the preparation and all those related affairs were detailed in this film. It's hard to say that everybody would end up liking it. Especially the sport segment. That's a major drawback of the film, but the other way around this is still very good. Only if you are okay with the facts over entertainment. So as I'm who already saw the film want to give a piece of advice for those who are yet to see it that watch it as a romance film. Yep, it is a better romance film than a boxing film. That's not how the pre developments swings, but it gets there a little late and then ends with an unexpected twist. An amateur boxer Olli Maki got a shot at pro boxing, so he's heading Helsinki and making preparation to face the strongest opponent coming from the United States. Not just for him, but for the whole country, it is a historical event. So the pressure is on Olli's team to make the right progress, especially to please their sponsors. Seems it was a smooth ride, until Olli find himself in an unwanted distraction, particularly at that time which is a turning point in his professional life. This is the flavour of romance and the boxing, can those two go along? Is what the remaining film carefully revealed. > ❝This is the shittiest moment to fall in love.❞ Like any sports films we had seen, this film as well all about pre event hype and the final act is given to the grand finale on the ring. Looks 'Cutie and the Boxer' should have been a perfect title, but this is nothing like that documentary film. It was not Olli's whole life, it was his falling and rising. Falling in love and rising to be a great boxer in Finland. But the problem is, both the things happening on the same time. More like romance versus profession. It's off the ring battle for Olli and can he win it, followed by a real battle. Now you would remember other awesome boxing films where love story and boxing had met like 'Rocky', 'Cinderella Man' and many more. This film is not comparable with them, that's the saddest part of it. It's a black and white film, and the filmmakers say that's because to take us 60 years back to Finland. They used film rolls like the old way of filmmaking. Indeed, it worked, it was the backbone of the film along the great cast. There are many characters, but revolved around only 3-4. The dialogues were minimised and let the pictures talk. The good news it was a 90 minute film with a decent pace. The one who played Olli was really good, but even in little lesser than that role, Raija enchants us. I can't forget that smile, it still appears front my eyes. Not just Olli, you might as well fall for her (at least for the actress who player that character). I also come to know the real couple's cameo for a brief was in the final scene. This is not the finest Finnish film I've seen, but I respect biopics as they tell the truth. It seems a better film for the older and matured guys, like above 30-35. But stay away if you are looking for a pleasure. _7/10_