Menolippu Mombasaan (2002) User Reviews

Healthy-looking cancer patients

[anna-39 · 6/10 · 15 January 2006]

For some reason I got the chance to watch this movie on DVD and to check some fresh faces in European movie making. The idea of a road movie in beautifully shot summerly Findand is quite tempting, and the elements of the 'last hot summer before the adulthood' are all there. Just like in Mexico's "Y tu mamá también" there are two guys interested in sex, booze and rock'n and roll, and a hot chick. Whereas "y tu mamá también" is a master piece and well acted, directed, edited and told, this movie falls short of its intentions in building a coherent drama. Acting is flat, especially the wooden love interest; the girl that goes to Lapland and is followed by the two main characters. Maybe the reason for her inexpressiveness is the poor dialogue but we are never really let to understand her feelings or her motives, and while we are meant to believe that she is the object of desire of one of the main characters, there's a complete lack of chemistry between them which made me wonder why would he ever skip a trip to Mombasa because of her. She is a nice-looking girl but seems so amateur and uncomfortable with the camera that it is almost painful to watch.

The two main characters are good to look at, and there lays one of the basic problems of the movie. They are bald, yes, but that's the only visible trace of their supposed illnesses. They run, jump, dance and have fun, and just look too healthy to be cancer patients. No medicine is that strong. The guitar boy bears a strong resemblance to Mexico's Gael García Marquez (only time will tell whether he has the same level of talent) and is given little material to work with. The real star here is Yusa, the crazy guy. Even if this character is highly exaggerated and the script lacks 'profoundness', the actor is skilled enough to put his heart and energy in the character and while he completely steals the movie (together with the outstanding Finnish countryside), he is the only real reason to keep watching it.

heart rending

[paaskynen · 7/10 · 20 February 2006]

This is another typical Finnish movie in the sense that it exploits the natural beauty of the Finnish countryside to bring across a melancholy message that all things are fleeting and our lives are but sand running through the time glass and the protagonists of the movie never actually make it to Mombasa, yet the film arrives despite its flaws...

One-way ticket to Mombasa is a romantic road movie with a difference. Two boys with supposedly terminal cancer meet in hospital and decide to go to Mombasa (Kenya) a place they do not know, but can dream of as paradise on earth (as described in an old and soppy Finnish song featured prominently in the film).

One of the boys is in love with a Finnish girl in a Finnish way (sorry if you think it is not convincing and full-blooded, but this is actually the way Finns are) and so, instead of setting off to Mombasa, the two boys drive through Finland to Lapland (probably also a budget decision) to meet the girl and she follows them south.

The story ends with the girl sharing the most precious gift with the dying boy before they hit the beach, which could well be the beach of Mombasa, or the beach in any of Ferreri's films: the source of life and the embracer of those who pass. Thus, closure is achieved an the surviving couple can move on to life in its fullness.

Menolippu Mombasaan

[alyssida · 5/10 · 12 November 2005]

The name of the movie, Menolippu Mombasaan (One-way ticket to Mombasa) is very interesting, I think. But the cover of the film isn't interesting anymore. The movie is a lovely surviving-story. Pete has a cancer and he won't survive. So he escapes from hospital. Pete wants to live his dream, he wants to go to Mombasa. And the film can actually begin. Pete, cancer-boy and his friend Jusa want to go to Mombasa. Pete's cancer is bad, and he won't survive. Boys start their trip to Mombasa, and they meet Kata. Pete and Kata are more than just friends, and Kata wants to come to Mombasa too. After this the movie is most boring ever. It was fun before Kata came, when boys were having fun. But when she comes, you can stop watching the movie. The story is OK and actors are fine, but I don't think it's very interesting. If you like Finland and our boring movies, this is for you. If you don't like, this isn't for you. But if I didn't like it, that doesn't mean that you should not watch it. So go ahead. Watch Menolippu Mombasaan!

Finnish cinema getting its hold

[Schtrickt · 12 November 2005]

I rated this film 8 since it does have some brilliant qualities in its Finnish context. However, for some reason there has been a great number of youth-oriented films lately and this in one of them. And therefore, more mature audiences might find it a little tacky.

However, acting, writing, production, directing and filming are all of a high to top standard. The storyline has depth in searching for the meaning for the life of two soon-to-die-too-young guys who decide to cease the moment which is to be the rest of their lives.

A previous comment sounded very disappointed due to over-sized publicity campaign etc. which, unfortunately is true in today's Finnish cinema effectively in hands of a single production company of Selin. Still I would say that out of the three mentioned contemporary Finnish films (the others being Pahat Pojat and Levottomat3) Mombasa can be told to be Worlds apart.

I hope that we'll hear from the makers of this film soon again and perhaps for more mature audience, too. It's good to have a heart in film industry these days.

AAARGH!

[muzaq · 1/10 · 15 February 2004]

What a f... This is one those films which I hate from the bottom of my heart! Only few times when I have stepped out of cinema after seeing a film I have been outrageously mad and frustrated. This is probably the most horrible film what I have paid for watching in theater.

The plot is so many times used earlier. This film has nothing new to offer. This product tells something about the state of Finnish film. In Finland there is released yearly several movies which have no deeper point or special content at all. Huge marketing campaigns brainwash people to go and watch movies like this and 'Pahat Pojat' (another hugely overrated and marketed movie) and 'Levottomat3'. People go and praise the cr*ppy movies all the way without any doubt or serial knowledge of movies. Other words they watch what they are told to.

Ok, I know it is completely useless to complain, but this is my opinion... Sorry if I offended anyone...

It wasn't hot, it wasn't steamy, but I sure felt Mombasa.

[elmako · 8/10 · 7 October 2002]

I thought this would be a tiresome tragedy about a young man with cancer. Boy was I wrong. This is a roadmovie with lots of humour and jokes about death. New and upcoming actors are always refreshing and this is no exception. This is a movie for everyone, with exception to the youngest toddlers, which might be scared by a nosebleed.

Good soundtrack, scenery and actors

[rosewitch9 · 10/10 · 30 November 2006]

This is my first to be fortunate enough to watch a Finnish film. Its a yearly event here in Cebu, Philippines to showcase different films from Europe sponsored by the European Union and the Arts Council of the Philippinese. This has been a must-seen-event every year that my sisters have been following. This is my first time to avail to this wonderful opportunity to explore the world of film from different countries.

I must comment on the location of the film. Its WONDERFUL. Would love to go and see it first hand. My sisters and i just love the soundtrack. on the way out of the theatre we couldn't help but sing the music 'mombasa'. The actors were great as well. They project a typical teenage life. It also expose how people in Finland go bout courtship, the gigs, and life in Finland. I must say that i am also fascinated with the Finnish language. very interesting.

i am still looking for the soundtrack to put it in my mobile as a ring tone ^_^

Meno Lippu for a good movie!

[juleslvd · 10/10 · 21 April 2005]

HI! I was in Finland last year and found this movie. I just tried it... And loved it. We were a team of student, in Finland, in Kauniainen, and all of us were just crazy about this movie. The day we all left Finland, we were singing the movie theme to wake up a friend of us...

And guess what, one year later I was in Mombasa, discovering Kenya. I would never had thought of Mombasa without having seen this movie!

Few movies give you the taste of happiness, and what taking care about all the single moment of your life means! Like the guy before said, it's not just about a guy who's gonna die, it about life!

Bye! Jules.

Movie deals with life, death and love in a warm and touching way.

[Endaevour · 8/10 · 24 November 2002]

Menolippu Mombasaan (I guess the title could be translated "One Way Ticket To Mombasa") tells a story about two young boys who have cancer and they really want to live their last moments and they run away from hospital. Other boy dreams about Mombasa and it's golden sands and the other dreams about a girl who is in Lapland. And boys decide to take a trip to Mombasa via Lapland.

Movie deals with hard feelings about short life, love and living without it. Characters are well built and played. Story is partly little predictable and has some too easy solutions but still has enough life and humor that it goes very nicely on. Movie touched me personally, because I've thought same things that boys in the movie had to deal with. I truly believe that people should have a right to end their lives way they want and should have enough courage to make their dreams come true and everyone should at least once feel to be loved by someone.

This is a Finnish movie and you can hear it from the soundtrack (it contains some old and well known Finnish songs) and see from the scenery (forests, Lapland, midnight sun) but I believe that also other people get lot from this movie.

A really fine movie!

[FinnAndy · 8/10 · 26 March 2003]

Finnish movies have come a long way. This movie which has also had some success at festivals around the world is evidence that Finland can produce international quality movies. The actors are all really good and their performance is from time to time truly outstanding. It is always hard to make a movie with subjects like cancer but this movie manages to show cancer from a different angle. It is very nice to see the boys so full of life even in their weak situation. A must see for everyone.

Not at all bad

[tim-376-318658 · 21 May 2012]

The very negative reviews on this page by some Finns are typical of Finns, who love to heap ignominy on all things Finnish. They are a modest people, and think everyone else is better than them at everything (except ice hockey where their opinion of their abilities is generally over-inflated!)

This film is a very well-made film, with good performances by the young actors, has a great soundtrack, and is genuinely moving at the end when Jusa passes away.

Sure, it's not full of deep character dissection or emotional love scenes but, as a previous contributor said, the Finnish invented the word undemonstrative (or the Finnish equivalent!) and that is how they generally conduct their romances. I felt that the relationship between Pete and Kata was very convincing and touching in its Finnish way.

I would recommend anyone to see this film if they would like to know more about Finland, a country whose modesty rarely allows it to let people know much about it.

So close to be a classic finnish movie!!

[jpolvi · 8/10 · 19 October 2002]

Menolippu Mombasaan is good movie no doubt about it!But the sad thing is that it's only couple of steps from being truly mangnificent

The flaws

1.The script is too naive.But it's also funny and emotional! 2.The fact that the two main characters has a cancer is too much in the backround!!

But what is great

1.The cinematography!Especially in the end when three main characters are on the beach!That's great! 2.The fact that characters talks like REAL people would! 3.The humor is great!!

I recommend this movie!Don't underestimate Finnish cinema!It has became better and better so please support it!

i think its greatest Finnish movie over long time

[Chillimar · 9/10 · 27 August 2006]

I just saw this movie from Estonian TV channel. I didn't seen it from start, but i started when Pete went to operation and came back with bald-headed & then everything started with humor and action. I really think its greatest Finnish movie over long time. I even got some unwanted tears at end of movie, because of the happy end with death :) That movie can be much better if you can understand Finnish and don't need subtitles, because some jokes and sentences are hard to translate. Here was some whimpering comments about this movie, but i think that problem was about understanding. Now i go to find that movie on DVD and also that great soundtrack.