Heiners Filmseiten – The Good Son (en)

The Good Son (Hyvä poika)

German title: Der gute Sohn
Spain title: El buen hijo
Russian title: Хороший сын
Original title: Hyvä poika

Alternative titles:
Hyvä poika – Der gute Sohn

Family drama – Finland
Production year: 2010
Movie length: 88 minutes

Director: Zaida Bergroth
Writer: Zaida Bergroth, Jan Forsström
Cinematograph: Anu Keränen
Music: Mi and L’Au

Movie description:

An actress named Leila leaves the city with her two sons in order to avoid the tabloids. While the younger son, the reclusive Unto, wanders the neighbourhood with his camera, the older Ilmari is annoyed by any »intruder« who would threaten the relationship with his beloved mother. When mother’s new lover begins to stay with the family, Ilmari’s »protective tendencies« become increasingly more dangerousÂ ...

After a scandalous premier, actress Leila Manner (Elina Knihtiä) flees the reporters to the family’s old summer villa with her two sons. Short-tempered Ilmari (Samuli Niittymäki) is his mother’s confidant and protector, whereas his younger brother Unto (Eetu Julin) is an insect enthusiast and a loner.
Their peaceful time together is soon interrupted when Leila invites a group of her friends over to spend the weekend. Joining the others is author Aimo (Eero Aho) whom Leila falls for, despite trying to resist. At the same time, the weird waitress Karita (Anna Paavilainen) at the local pub approaches Ilmari telling him that she saw his arrival in a dream.
When the other guests leave, Aimo stays. Ilmari is not pleased with the intruder, although Leila assures him that Aimo is nothing like her previous men. Gradually, Aimo starts to have enough of the youngster’s insolence. Ilmari tries to escape the situation in the company of the fascinating Karita, and Leila, who is in love, turns a blind eye. The atmosphere at the villa surrounded by woods becomes threatening.

Boy Actors