An emotional and at times intense film, Tove, directed by Zaida Bergroth is an incredible look into the life of Finland’s most celebrated artist and author. 

Tove goes through a decade in the life of Swedish speaking Finnish artist Tove Jansson (played by Alma Pöysti), as she goes from penniless artist to the creator of a beloved national icon. Starting in her twenties, it is the late 1940s and Jansson wallows in disappointment brought on by being passed over for a government grant to support her paintings. During this time, she draws her “Moomin” characters, little troll-like creatures she made towards the end of WWII. Her famous  sculptor father, Viktor (Robert Enckell) keeps making remarks about Tove’s drawings and says on multiple occasions that they aren’t art. Her mother Signe (Kajsa Ernst), supports Tove’s endeavors, and scolds Viktor. This argument causes Tove to move out into a freezing studio apartment. During this period of her life, Tove begins to find love in married politician Atos Wirtanen (Shanti Roney) who she later dumps in favor of the mayor’s daughter and playwright, Vivica Bandler (Krista Kosonen). During this relationship, Vivica finds value in Tove’s Moomin characters and begins to write a play based on them. 

The acting in this movie is phenomenal. Pöysti’s portrayal of Jansson is strong, emotional, and realistic. Enckell and Ernst do amazing jobs contrasting the stern and harsh personality of Viktor with the caring personality of Signe. It creates a realistic dynamic between the two characters and their feelings towards Tove’s art. Roney and Kosonen both are amazing as Atos and Vivica, bringing a kindness and snootiness to them that really make their characters stand out. 

The movie is really brought to life by the scenery, which shows both war torn Helsinki as well as fancy Parisian nightclubs and the vastness of the Baltic Sea. The music is minimal, as it consists of jazz and French music, and is mostly diegetic. 

The only problem for me is that sometimes the emotional moments fall flat, especially when Tove dumps Atos. It’s a small, quiet moment, which is a breath of fresh air, but it doesn’t stick. It’s a little disappointing since it’s supposed to be a turning point in Tove’s life. 

Despite some flat moments, Tove is sure to please the artists, writers, and romantics in everyone. I would advise against showing it to young children, as there’s nudity and swearing, but older teens and up would enjoy it. Also researching the Moomins beforehand would be wise, as there’s references to multiple characters from it that, while a Finnish audience might get, international ones might not.  

I give it 9 Moomins out of 10.