A small town book-keeper and a bankrupt serial failure combine forces to try and find success with a startup business, from Europe to Silicon Valley – and back in Chasing Unicorns.
Let me begin by addressing a couple of issues, concerning the preliminary introductory scenes. This was not a film which grabbed me immediately from the start. The story’s separate threads didn’t initially hold much interest without further context, a problem I at first thought might be down to poor characterisation but, since they do become convincing characters, and in some cases end up becoming quite endearing, it is more likely to do with the film’s pacing. Fast moving and disjointed, but also quite confusing.
Stick with it though, as once the unevenly presented plot outline is firmly established it settles itself into the main action and starts to take shape more cohesively.
The principle protagonist Õie (Liisa Pulk) is genially engaging, her spirited energy and optimism propels the story along while juggling the various plot points. Together with her business partner Tõnu (Henrik Kalmet), they share a similar naïveté which is refreshing to see and also a nice counterpoint to the tougher side of the business world.
This lively dynamic helps bring out the film’s comic moments, of which there are many, a large portion being based around cultural and caricatured stereotypes. This is where most of the comedy falls, creating some genuinely funny moments, due to the cast having good chemistry and the humour not being forced.
The action moves along briskly, set up much like a computer game, both figuratively and literally, with on-screen graphics illustrating the progress throughout their mission, completing ‘levels’ and acquiring ‘points’.
Director Rain Rannu presents the film in a semi-documentary style, using camerawork which, although doesn’t communicate much extra visually, is adequately functional and subservient to the story. Indeed, cinematographer Ants Tammik does have a background in documentaries, which may explain some of these creative choices.
The film does raise some interesting and genuine questions about its central subject. For example, at one point early on Õie asks, “How can something that doesn’t really exist be worth a million dollars?” Delivered straight, with legitimate honesty, it reminds us that the world this film depicts is not so simply intelligible, and understands the singular nuances and intricacies of enterprising entrepreneurship.
Chasing Unicorns offers us a window into the bizarre world of tech startups, viewed from a charmingly inexperienced, guileless perspective which never takes itself too seriously. A pleasantly enjoyable watch.
Silicon Valley the European way.
Movie title: Chasing Unicorns (Ükssarvik)
Movie description: A small town book-keeper and a bankrupt serial failure combine forces to try and find success with a startup business, from Europe to Silicon Valley - and back.
Date published: September 13, 2019
Country: Estonia
Duration: 108 minutes
Director(s): Rain Rannu
Actor(s): Liisa Pulk, Henrik Kalmet, Johann Urb
Genre: Comedy, Drama, Road-Movie
Summary
A warm, engaging satirical take on the strange world of tech businesses.
Thomas is a musician, writer and film enthusiast with a broad taste in films, from Big Night to The Big Combo. When he isn’t immersed in these activities his passions extend to the kitchen and food.
