
Touko Laaksonen, a decorated officer, returns home after a harrowing and heroic experience serving his country in World War II, but life in Finland during peacetime proves equally distressing. He finds peace-time Helsinki rampant with persecution of the homosexual men around him, even being pressured to marry women and have children. Touko finds refuge in his liberating art, specializing in homoerotic drawings of muscular men, free of inhibitions. His work - made famous by hi... (Full plot summary below)
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Touko Laaksonen, a decorated officer, returns home after a harrowing and heroic experience serving his country in World War II, but life in Finland during peacetime proves equally distressing. He finds peace-time Helsinki rampant with persecution of the homosexual men around him, even being pressured to marry women and have children. Touko finds refuge in his liberating art, specializing in homoerotic drawings of muscular men, free of inhibitions. His work - made famous by his signature 'Tom of Finland' - became the emblem of a generation of men and fanned the flames of a gay revolution.
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| Vue Weekly (Edmonton, Alberta)Sierra BiltonAward-winning filmmaker Dome Karukoski lovingly tells the story of iconic Finnish artist Touko Laaksonen... |
| The Patriot LedgerAl AlexanderTouko Laaksonen sketched out an enduring legacy with his homoerotic images of hyper-masculine men. So, why then is Dome Karukoski's depiction of Laaksonen's rise from closeted pornographer to celebrated artist so flaccid? |
| Reeling ReviewsRobin Cliffordthe filmmakers give an honest and informative view of a man whose life-long work helped many find themselves in their LGBT universe. |
| HeyUGuysLinda MarricPekka Strang does a fantastic job as Laaksonen; his playfully nuanced performance adds to the beautifully sedate way in which the story is told. |
| The Arts DeskTom BirchenoughIt will be a stony-hearted viewer indeed who resists the celebration of Tom of Finland's conclusion. |
| Total FilmJosh WinningIf the imagery is less racy than TOF fans may be used to, Pekka Strang’s quiet turn as Laaksonen has a simmering power. |
| Eye for FilmAmber WilkinsonAlthough much of Laaksonen's work was hardcore, Karukoski doesn't seek to 'shock' audiences with outrageousness, instead gracefully zoning in on the man and his life to celebrate his both his bravery and his art. |
| The PlaylistBradley WarrenWhile often hamstrung by genre conventions, particularly in the picture’s first half, Tom of Finland is a passable entry into the LGBT film canon and largely successful in selling the subcultural relevance of the eponymous artist’s beefcake drawings. |
| Slant MagazineSam C. MacDome Karukoski often excels at elevating his linear, historically conscious plotting with more abstract symbolism and ellipsis. |
| Observer (UK)Wendy IdeTom of Finland is almost as handsome and glossy as the drawings of luxuriantly leather-clad fantasy figures with which he made his name. |