Tom of Finland

Kino Lorber | Release Date: October 13, 2017

7.1	USER SCORE Generally favorable reviews based on 10 Ratings

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TVJerryJun 9, 2020

Illustrator Touko Laaksonen was known for the unabashed, ultra masculine homoerotic art that he drew under the name Tom of Finland. This biopic follows his life from WWII to his worldwide success in the latter half of the 20th century. HeIllustrator Touko Laaksonen was known for the unabashed, ultra masculine homoerotic art that he drew under the name Tom of Finland. This biopic follows his life from WWII to his worldwide success in the latter half of the 20th century. He struggled for many years with his country's repressive laws, frequenting parks for sexual connection. The narrative follows a predictable path with occasional flashbacks to significant memories and mild flights of fantasy with one iconic leather-clad stud. Considering the personal adversity he faced, there's not much emotional connection. Still, those who might appreciate this story will find it full of information. BTW, even though lust pervades the subtext, the sex is more explicit in his drawings than what's portrayed among the film's characters. (Finnish and English with subtitles)… Expand

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GreatMartinNov 3, 2017

Touko Laaksonen—more famously and widely known as Tom of Finland—was an important influence on Gay art from the 1950s on. He was the creator of changing the imagine of the homosexual from an effeminate moving and acting to a highly masculineTouko Laaksonen—more famously and widely known as Tom of Finland—was an important influence on Gay art from the 1950s on. He was the creator of changing the imagine of the homosexual from an effeminate moving and acting to a highly masculine Gay man emphasized in the outfits of police, uniforms of bikers, soldiers, leatherman, leaders, strong muscular men with exaggerated physical endowments.

While based on his life, “Tom of Finland”, how much is true and how much has been added to Laaksonen’s life, is hard to know unless you know him. The first hour is a good depiction of how Gay men ‘hid’ whether serving his country in WW2 or living with his sister and being in the closet. It is in the second hour of the film that comes alive when he goes to California and becomes known as the artist he was and in the 1970s and 1980s influenced the world.

With topics as hot as whether Tom of Finland’s work was porno or art, whether he contributed to the spread of AIDS or was an outlet for men with AIDS, the 3 couples that the film follows, what brought them together, how differently each couple made a life, why so many Gay men were drawn to his work plus many other issues that are skipped over including so many of the political issues that were prevalent among gay people in the latter half of the twentieth century.

The first half of the film that takes place mainly in Finland’s parks, bars and alleyways is dark while the second half which to California is mainly in bright colors.

The screenplay by Aleksi Bardy introduces a lot of interesting subjects but skirts too many of them. The director Dome Karukoski follows many of the events of Laaksonen’s life and while he highlights most of them he also turns the camera away when it should have stayed on some scenes longer.

“Tom of Finland” should be seen by all Gay men to learn some of their history, will probably be seen by older Gay men who know who he was and was probably a part of their life It should also be seen by non-Gays to learn what their family members and friends who were/are Gay though they might not have even known about them and find out how they survived all those years.

“Tom of Finland” is an educational film for both Gay and non-Gay people it really isn’t a film that emotionally involves the audience though it should and could have.… Expand

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KaptenVideoDec 25, 2017

Tom of Finland has his own autobiographical movie now, done by Finns themselves. Appropriate because he is one of them and spent his whole life living among them. Which was brave, because in his time, being found out as homosexual could meantTom of Finland has his own autobiographical movie now, done by Finns themselves. Appropriate because he is one of them and spent his whole life living among them. Which was brave, because in his time, being found out as homosexual could meant effectively the end of the life as one knew it, including losing your life. Just like, say, paedophiles or terrorists today.

I am a bit surprised if you don’t know the great late artist’s name and/or haven’t seen any of his work. Like, for example, Walt Disney or Herluf Bidstrup, he surely is one of the greatest artists of modern time, instantly recognizable and unforgettable for its style and soul.

I would say his drawings are like nothing else out there, although I actually don’t know much about gay culture and its antics. But this is art at its purest and most powerful. It’s unique, it makes you feel something and it talks to you, regardless of your sexual orientation and/or attitude towards homosexuality. Lust is universal.

The story is nothing original, the classic „rags to riches“ success story blueprints made popular by Oliver Stone’s „Wall Street“ (1987) that the other movie makers still eagerly copy.

Which means that you can often guess where it’s going and because of that, there’s a risk of reaching the saturation point before the end, probably in the last third.

I enjoyed the ride in full, actually, but the risk is real. Maybe it would help that every movie using this formula wouldn’t be around two hours long? It’s not like it’s gonna become magically fresher in long movies after 30 years.

But the formulaic story and the typical low-key „I am a Finnish movie“ look are not what make „Tom of Finland“ shine.

But what it lacks in inventive storytelling or visual flashiness, it more than makes up in heart and conviction. It’s not just an re-enactment of a famous person’s life, you can literally feel the lust that drove him, and men like him, on screen.

This is well conveyed by actors, especially Pekka Strang who seems to be straight in real life but does not shiver back from releasing his inner man-eater in hope for making everything come alive on screen.

This is not a comical role, and he really dives into the role so you can really buy him as the great artist. All this longing, need to break free from social chains, and satisfaction with getting what he wants seem authentic and real when they show on his face on screen.

Watching the gay scene, forced into hiding and later coming out in the open, is interesting as well. Creeping around, always giving out and trying to read subtle signs from other men, and desperation in the danger of being found out. The director has done a great job bringing this alive, as history lesson which is also entertaining to watch.

This is Finland's entry for the Best Foreign Language Film competition at 2018 Academy Awards. I think it’s not „serious“ enough to have a realistic chance of winning… but who knows. Dome Karukovski is quite a big deal among modern Finnish movie directors, says IMDb.

So... „Tom of Finland“: an artist and now a movie even straight people can like! I know I do.

If you want recent similar movie suggestions, check out 2013’s „Behind the Candelabra“ starring Michael Douglas and Matt Damon, it’s great!

If I have any gay or bi readers, I'd love to hear your thoughts on the movie.… Expand

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