Vain kaksi tuntia

[Two Hours Only] / Från sex till åtta. FI (c) 1949 Fenno-Filmi. P: Yrjö Rannikko. D+SC: Roland af Hällström. DP: Esko Töyri. M+ED: Tapio Ilomäki. Starring: Regina Linnanheimo (senior nurse Magda), Liisa Tuomi (Mrs. Irja Kaarila), Eino Kaipainen (senior physician Kaarlo Kaarila), Leif Wager (assistant physician Alec von Wentell), Elvi Saarnio (Laila Niemikkö, a vagrant woman), Leena Häkinen (Tellervo Ritvala, a young bride), Martti Katajisto (Pelle Teiri, a young groom), Saara Ranin (nurse Varma), Kalle Viherpuu (police officer), Rauha Rentola (Mrs. Maj-Lis von Wentell). 103 min. A Digibeta (from a used film print) (alas!) presentation at Cinema Orion, Helsinki, 27 Feb 2008. Two hours in the emergency room of a little town, full of drama, love and death. This is a multi-character film, but the core is the triangle drama between the frustrated wife (Liisa Tuomi), his devoted doctor-husband (Eino Kaipainen) and the consoling young assistant physician (Leif Wager). The cinematography of Esko Töyri is atmospheric, with interesting angles, camera movements and soulful close-ups of many of the main characters. A signature performance by Eino Kaipainen as the dutiful and devoted man cheated by his fickle wife. Regina Linnanheimo for once in a sober role. Liisa Tuomi gets to play the frustrated, unsatisfied lady, who has a near fatal crash overspeeding into a secret encounter in a notorious hotel. There is perhaps a bit too much excitement for two hours of supposedly real time.