Synopsis
With few options, newly pardoned convict Leila agrees to work as an assistant to a blind pastor. Father Jacob spends his days answering the letters of the needy, which Leila finds pointless. But when the letters stop, the pastor is devastated and Leila finds herself cast in a new role.
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Cast
- Kaarina HazardLeila
- Heikki NousiainenPappi Jaakob
- Jukka KeinonenPosteljooni
- Esko RoineVankilan Johtaja
- Kaija PakarinenLeilan sisko (voice)
Recommendations
- 80
The Hollywood Reporter
The kind of film that makes a truly lasting impression despite its brevity. - 80
Variety
The director's magisterial control over the proceedings makes something fresh and heartrending out of predictable material, particularly for older, thoughtful audiences. - 75
New York Post
Letters could be dismissed as a soap opera, but that would be unfair to this beautiful work. It features tender performances by Kaarina Hazard (Leila) and Jukka Keinonen (Jacob), as well as beautiful cinematography by Tuomo Hutri. - 70
L.A. Weekly
By the time Leila's brow furrows in concern for the father, the film has absolutely earned its tug at your heart. - 60
The New York Times
Letters transforms a picture-postcard location and odd-couple narrative into a pretty, and pretty predictable, snooze. Yet the acting is flawless, the tone gentle and observational, and Leila's transformation, when it occurs, is unforced and unaccompanied by pious lecturing. - 40
Time Out
There's only one thing worse than a leaden moral fable that tackles issues of forgiveness with sledgehammer contrivances, and that's one that attempts to mask its manipulative corniness with an air of trumped-up gravity.
