Happier Times, Grump

{{Infobox film

| name = Happier Times, Grump

| image = Ilosia_aikoja_mielensapahoittaja.jpg

| caption =

| native_name = {{Infobox name module|fi|Ilosia aikoja, Mielensäpahoittaja}}

| director = Tiina Lymi

| writer = Tiina Lymi
Tuomas Kyrö
Juha Lehtola

| based_on = Ilosia aikoja, Mielensäpahoittaja by Tuomas Kyrö

| producer = Markus Selin
Jukka Helle

| starring = Heikki Kinnunen
Satu Tuuli Karhu
Sulevi Peltola

| studio = Solar Films

| distributor = Nordisk Film

| released = {{Film date|2018|08|24|df=y}}

| runtime = 118 minutes

| country = Finland

| language = Finnish

| gross =

}}

Happier Times, Grump ({{langx|fi|Ilosia aikoja, Mielensäpahoittaja}}) is a 2018 Finnish film directed by Tiina Lymi, based on the 2014 novel of the same name by Tuomas Kyrö.{{cite web|url=https://elonet.finna.fi/Record/kavi.elonet_elokuva_1582654|work=Elonet|title=Ilosia aikoja, Mielensäpahoittaja}}

The screenplay was written by Tiina Lymi, Tuomas Kyrö, and Juha Lehtola. The film stars Heikki Kinnunen in the role of "The Grump," replacing Antti Litja from the previous film due to Litja's illness.{{cite web | url = http://www.hs.fi/kulttuuri/art-2000005136026.html | title = Tässä on uusi Mielensäpahoittaja | author = Lehtonen, Veli-Pekka | date = March 22, 2017 | website = Helsingin Sanomat | access-date = March 24, 2017 }}

Satu Tuuli Karhu won the Jussi Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role in the film.{{cite web | url = https://www.seiska.fi/Telkkari/Jussi-palkinnot-jaettiin-katso-lista-kaikista-voittajista/1140634 | title = Jussi-palkinnot jaettiin – katso lista kaikista voittajista! | author = Alhonen, Antero | date = March 22, 2019 | website = Seiska | access-date = March 23, 2019 }} The film also received four Jussi Award nominations, including Best Film, Best Direction (Lymi), Best Actor (Kinnunen), and Best Screenplay.{{cite web | url = https://www.mtvuutiset.fi/artikkeli/jussi-ehdokkaat-2019-julki-katso-lista/7254210#gs.nVFmPnui | title = Jussi-ehdokkaat 2019 julki – Juice ja Hölmö nuori sydän ehdokkuusrohmuina | date = January 24, 2019 | website = MTV Uutiset | access-date = February 1, 2019 }}

The film was the most-watched domestic release in Finnish cinemas in 2018 and the second-most popular film overall, following Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again.{{cite web | url = https://www.episodi.fi/uutiset/suomessa-kaytiin-elokuvissa-yli-8-miljoonaa-kertaa-tassa-vuoden-2018-katsotuimmat-elokuvat/ | title = Suomessa käytiin elokuvissa yli 8 miljoonaa kertaa – tässä vuoden 2018 katsotuimmat elokuvat | website = Episodi | date = January 2, 2019 | access-date = January 12, 2020 }} Its television premiere was on January 2, 2021.

Cast

Reception

Episodi magazine gave the film 4 out of 5 stars, praising its grounded storytelling and humor. Critic Jesse Raatikainen remarked that the film "captures its subject well, with a cozy atmosphere of coffee and buns without striving for grandeur or international appeal."{{cite web | url = https://www.episodi.fi/elokuvat/ilosia-aikoja-mielensapahoittaja/ | title = Ilosia aikoja, Mielensäpahoittaja | author = Raatikainen, Jesse | date = August 20, 2018 | website = Episodi | access-date = August 22, 2018 }}

Other reviews were mixed, with some praising its emotional depth and others finding it less compelling compared to its predecessor. Etelä-Suomen Sanomat gave it 5 out of 5 stars, calling it "a five-star film that brings tears to your eyes."{{cite web | url = https://www.ess.fi/uutiset/kulttuurijaviihde/art2479818 | title = Elokuva-arvio: Viiden tähden Mielensäpahoittaja nostaa tunteet silmiin saakka | author = Virratvuori, Jussi | date = August 23, 2018 | website = Etelä-Suomen Sanomat | access-date = September 15, 2018 }}

Sequel

In 2022 the sequel was released, titled The Grump: In Search of an Escort.

References

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