DISC D: Selma Vilhunen. Finland/Denmark. 100 min. Sep 9, 6 pm, Scotiabank 8 Sep 10, 11:30 am, Jackman Hall Sep 18, 3 pm, Scotiabank 8. Rating: NNN
Thirteen-year-old Linnea Skog dazzles in this sweet and sensitive coming-of-ager.
Skog’s Varpu is wise beyond her years, often behaving like an older sibling to her hopelessly neurotic mother (Paula Vesala). But she’s hit by a pubescent case of recklessness, taking a stolen car on a road trip to find the father she never knew.
The plot has a few surprises and things get a bit unwieldy, but director Vilhunen navigates her way around them by focusing on her two wonderful leads. Vesala and Skog share a palpable affection even when they’re most at odds. It’s sure to win over a crowd.
