Fallen Leaves
In modern-day Helsinki, two lonely souls in search of love meet by chance in a karaoke bar. However, their path to happiness is beset by obstacles - from lost phone numbers to mistaken addresses, alcoholism, and a charming stray dog.
Despite its modest budget of $1.5M, Fallen Leaves became a massive hit, earning $12.4M worldwide—a remarkable 738% return. The film's bold vision found its audience, proving that strong storytelling can transcend budget limitations.
12 wins & 61 nominations
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
Fallen Leaves (2023) showcases meticulously timed dramatic framework, characteristic of Aki Kaurismäki's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 21 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.3, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Ansa works mechanically at a supermarket, alone and isolated. She lives in a sparse apartment, drinks alone, listening to news of war and economic hardship on the radio.. The analysis reveals that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 10 minutes when Ansa and Holappa briefly make eye contact at a karaoke bar. It's a subtle moment, but it disrupts their isolated routines with the possibility of connection.. At 13% through the film, this Disruption is delayed, allowing extended setup of the story world. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 20 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This shows the protagonist's commitment to Holappa approaches Ansa at the cinema and they go on their first proper date, choosing to risk connection despite their emotional guardedness., moving from reaction to action.
At 41 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Of particular interest, this crucial beat Holappa, drunk, loses Ansa's phone number. The fragile connection is broken. False defeat—the relationship that seemed to be blossoming is suddenly severed., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 60 minutes (74% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Holappa is hospitalized after a severe accident (hit by a tram while drunk). Literal brush with death. Ansa doesn't know, believing he simply abandoned her., indicates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 66 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 81% of the runtime. Holappa, recovering, commits to sobriety and decides to find Ansa. Ansa adopts a stray dog, opening her heart again. Both choose hope over resignation., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Fallen Leaves's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs systematic plot point analysis that identifies crucial turning points. By mapping Fallen Leaves against these established plot points, we can identify how Aki Kaurismäki utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Fallen Leaves within the comedy genre.
Comparative Analysis
Additional comedy films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Ansa works mechanically at a supermarket, alone and isolated. She lives in a sparse apartment, drinks alone, listening to news of war and economic hardship on the radio.
Theme
A coworker mentions that 'everyone needs someone,' hinting at the film's exploration of connection and loneliness in modern urban isolation.
Worldbuilding
Establishing the bleak working-class existence: Ansa is fired for taking expired food; Holappa works construction and drinks heavily. Both live in stark loneliness in Helsinki, surrounded by news of Ukraine war.
Disruption
Ansa and Holappa briefly make eye contact at a karaoke bar. It's a subtle moment, but it disrupts their isolated routines with the possibility of connection.
Resistance
Both characters hesitate and stumble. Holappa is fired for drinking. Ansa gets a new job. They encounter each other again but are too awkward to connect. Friends encourage them separately.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Holappa approaches Ansa at the cinema and they go on their first proper date, choosing to risk connection despite their emotional guardedness.
Mirror World
The tentative romance between Ansa and Holappa begins. Their relationship becomes the emotional counterpoint to their harsh working lives, representing hope.
Premise
Courtship in Kaurismäki's deadpan style: awkward dates, shared silences, small gestures of affection. The promise of the premise—two lonely souls finding each other.
Midpoint
Holappa, drunk, loses Ansa's phone number. The fragile connection is broken. False defeat—the relationship that seemed to be blossoming is suddenly severed.
Opposition
Holappa struggles with alcoholism and unemployment. Ansa waits, hurt and disappointed. Economic hardship and personal demons close in. They exist separately in deepening despair.
Collapse
Holappa is hospitalized after a severe accident (hit by a tram while drunk). Literal brush with death. Ansa doesn't know, believing he simply abandoned her.
Crisis
Ansa processes the loss, Holappa recovers in hospital. Both face their darkest isolation. The dream of connection seems dead.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Holappa, recovering, commits to sobriety and decides to find Ansa. Ansa adopts a stray dog, opening her heart again. Both choose hope over resignation.
Synthesis
Holappa searches for Ansa. Through coincidence and persistence, they find each other again. The dog becomes a symbol of their capacity to care. They reunite, wiser and more committed.
Transformation
Ansa and Holappa sit together with the dog, finally at peace. The opening's isolation is replaced with quiet companionship—still sparse, still Finnish, but no longer alone.