The Grump
(Finland)

When a potato farmer in his 80s falls down the stairs and injures himself, he’s forced against his will to stay in Helsinki with his daughter-in-law, Liisa, while his spineless son, Hessu, takes care of the farm. Sentimentally arrested in the halcyon days of the 1950s, the obstinate father (referred to only as “the Grump”) finds fault with everything modern, leading to an escalating series of conflicts as Liisa hosts a visit from Russian business clients.

Although this solid and entertaining domestic comedy takes a while to move beyond predictable generational clashes, the story develops more dynamically after Dad’s Achilles’ heel is revealed.

Friday (December 4).