The Grump: In Search of an Escort (2022)

What makes The Grump: In Search of an Escort such a pleasure is how it turns a seemingly small obsession—a battered old Ford and the dignity tied up in it—into a warm, wry road movie about pride, aging, and the stubborn ways we cling to “the right” kind of life. Mika Kaurismäki gives the comedy room to breathe, letting deadpan grumbles and culture-clash moments land naturally while a gentler, more human sadness hums underneath. Heikki Kinnunen’s Grump is prickly but unmistakably alive, the kind of character who can make you laugh with a single look and then surprise you by earning your sympathy without asking for it. If you prefer broad, fast-paced gags this may feel deliberately unhurried, but if you enjoy character-driven comedy-drama with a big heart and a dry Finnish twinkle, it’s an easy film to root for.

The Grump: In Search of an Escort is aiming for a warm, old-man-on-a-mission road dramedy, using the Ford Escort obsession as a stand-in for pride, aging, and the fear of a world moving on without you. If you’re expecting big laughs or a fast, eventful journey, this can feel stubbornly low-key, repeating the same cranky beats and meandering through mild encounters rather than building real momentum. The humor is dry and very Finnish in its deadpan patience, which will either charm you or make you wonder when the movie plans to get to the point. That said, Heikki Kinnunen sells the character’s gruff humanity, and if you enjoy gentle, character-driven stories about small problems treated like epic quests, this might hit the spot.