“You’re finally realizing your mission / you don’t need anyone’s permission.” In this biographical film, it takes Finnish singer Kaija Koo decades to understand the message she’s been trying to hammer into her audience’s heads through her songs.
Kaija Kokkola (Oona Airola) captivates local audiences as a band singer in Helsinki in the 1980s, but her career is cut short by the anxiety triggered by the death of her father. Supported by the faith and songwriting skills of her partner Markku Impiö (Jari Virman) she pushes herself to launch a solo career. She finds success, but not always on her own terms.
The film is that rare example of a celebrity portrait that doesn’t function simply as fan service. Director Selma Vilhunen is known for reinventing the tired tropes of interpersonal dramas and skilfully sculpts the protagonist into a living, breathing human instead of a cardboard PR cutout.
Happy Sassy Beautiful lends itself to multiple interpretations: an empowering story peppered with Finnish pop music, a depiction of the long shadow cast by alcoholism or just a raucous sing-along.
Kaisu Tervonen