Tom of Finland

If you know Tom of Finland's work, you will be fascinated how it all came to be. This dramatic bio-pic follows the artist from WWII Finnish soldier to the underground European gay scene, and on to international fame in the gay art movement. It was a tough road as many people looked at the erotic art as filth (no surprise there) and others wanted to see and buy more. Sadly, much of his original art was stolen along the way.His exaggerated macho leather-clad men became a model to which leather men around the world aspired. Some of the funny parts in the film show the living actors right off the pages of his books. It was San Francisco in the late '70s that welcomed him as a "star" at an international leather convention. He achieved worldwide recognition as a result.Film focuses on the guy who created a look that some stupidly say in the film led to the widespread epidemic of AIDS in the '80s. From JO magazines to coffee table books, Tom of Finland gave us a fantasy look at the world of gay machismo.Perhaps one drawback is the relative lack of screen time spent looking at the drawings themselves. I know it's about the man, but the art is inextricably linked to that man. I feel younger people, with no idea about Tom of Finland, wouldn't get the full effect his art had on its viewers.Worth seeing.

The erotic drawings of artist Touko Laaksonen, known to the world as Tom of Finland, was something that every gay man has at one time or another seen. This is the story of his life and an interesting life it was. First, I had no idea that Finland was allies with Germany in Work War 2. I also thought that some things were more understood in Europe even in the 50's , boy, was I wrong. Tom and all gay men had a horrible time of it and were so underground that even a hint of homosexuality and you were in so much trouble. The acting and direction are superb. The scenery is stunning too. I really have to recommend this to see the struggles that came before.

This is a fine European art film in the Bergman/Strindberg dramatic tradition. If you don't have a background in that kind of film or play, though, you might find it hard to watch. The emphasis is not on Touko's relationship with the gay male leather community (for that, see "Daddy and the Muscle Academy"), but on his early adult years during and after World War II, when he imprinted on a hypermasculine look based on PTSD from killing an enemy soldier and being arrested for furtive sex with strangers. It was not the strangers he imprinted on but the policemen who arrested him. His anxiety, alienation, and loneliness were translated by his art into a fantasy utopia of super studs getting it on. The performances are tops in this film, and Touko's relationship with his sister emerges clearly. After the repressions of northern Europe, his trip to California is like going to heaven. The film makes clear that it was his drawings that planted the seeds for the men who decided to live out the fantasies he created in his artwork. If you haven't seen European art films before but are interested in this material, I still recommend this film--just forget Hollywood pacing and give yourself over to this man's life story. It's superbly done.

Every fine artist should know fine arts HIStory; and Tom of Finland broke barriers and survived; Whether not you like his art is irrelevant; he stood up for his rights and others who followed him. His freedom to make art a statement made him an icon; it's every artist's duty to create the sign of his her times.

...if you appreciate the masculine, muscular male figure -- you're a Tom Man.My Opinion of The Film; first off, *most* dialogue is spoken in the Finnish language with some English but if you don't speak/understand Finnish it's English sub-titled and that didn't make it difficult to follow. If you want to watch a biography about the legend there's a good chance that you'll really enjoy it. I've read a couple reviews calling it "slow, tedious, boring"... IT'S A BIO-PIC! You're not going to get continuous sex scenes, it's an honest history about the best (I. M. O.), most ripped-off (unfortunately, factual!) male erotic artist of the 20th century.My Philosophy; This film brought back so many different memories, both good & bad about how I grew into manhood... the discriminations are world-wide. I came of age around the years that "Tom" arrived in America. While I've never been or aspired to be a replica of Tom of Finland's subjects, I did need positive role models and as stated by those that continue to run Tom House in Los Angeles; ...the love, realness and authenticity of his art show that his subjects aren't "fly-by-night" hookups they are men that love and care for other men. Empower yourself, if you are in an environment that tries to knock you down for your lifestyle, change it! Be happy in your skin. Make those in your family feel as ease and accepted, be it blood family or chosen family.Enjoy!

Excellent movie, reminded me again how gays used to be hounded for loving someone else. The acting is believable and the story was engaging, you forgot it was just a movie. I'm glad he's now celebrated in Finland and that his art is appreciated for the quality of his work, not because its 'porn.' Excellent movie if your a fan of his art and makes you appreciate the ease we gays have these days in the Western World compared to the 50's, 60's and even the 70's.

An important piece of GLBT history is the story of this outsider artist who came to represent a large community that is integral to the movement. Men in leather as well as the idea that gay men could be strong, virile he-men gave voice to a whole subculture that covers the globe. The movie's timeline was a bit erratic, with in and out flashbacks. But overall a strong performance and a wonderful finale, 'Hello Boys!"

Nice biographical film about a man who without knowing was making history in the gay community and open the door to those hidden because of their sexuality.

This movie mainly chronicled Tom of Finland's early life until his huge success in the US. It was an interesting insight, although in typical biopic fashion it played fast and loose with the facts. We would have like if it had focused a little more on Tom of Finland's actual drawing and the process he went through to produce the amount of material he did. Like other recent movies, it certainly did shy away from the nudity (except in drawings), which worked against a film about a man whose fame was derived from his drawings of gay male nudes. Overall, we enjoyed it.

Qui ne connais pas les chefs d'œuvres de ce GRAND dessinateur pour adultes?!Superbe film, et le livret en collector et sublimeSitôt reçu sitôt dans mon lecteur, et j'ai bien l'intention de le revoir encore plusieurs foisBelle histoire, tournage parfait, un film qui deviendra un best.

Dieser Film iost (Nicht nur) für Freunde der "Tom of Finland" Artikel und der damit verbundenen Geschichte wärmstens zu empfehlen. Die Geschichte von Anfang an ist einfach nur liebenswert. Dieser Film wird wirklich keine Sekunde langweilig. Jetzt schon ein Kultfilm

J'ai toujours beaucoup apprécié le travail de cet artiste courageux et jusqu'au-boutiste ! A l'extrême limite de la caricature, ses multiples représentations musclées de "Freddy Mercury" en érection sous des costumes de flics, de soldats ou d'ouvriers en cuir et en casquettes pourraient être vulgaires et choquantes... Pourtant, la chose est tellement "énorme" et bien réalisée que l'on se trouve surpris, étonnés et convaincus de se trouver face à du Grand Art, comme chez Hans Bellmer !... Au-delà de la pornographie !Le film est magnifique et même (chose à laquelle on ne s'attend vraiment pas): EMOUVANT !

Meine Bestellung war ruck zuck da. Für Gays und Lederliebhaber, sowie Fans der Zeichnungen ist der Tom of Finland Film ein absolutes muss. Der Film zeichnet die Lebensgeschichte des Schöpfers der Zeichnungen und viele begebenheiten zur damaligen Zeit, zum Beispiel Leiben als Schwuler in den Nachkriegsjahren, Gründung der ersten Lederclubs, die Aidskrise in den achtzigern und Umgang mit schweren Verlusten nach. In vielen Szenen hat man überaus viel Detailverliebtheit bei der Umsetzung eingebracht. Fakt: Sehenswert.