Review: Einsteinin rikos

EINSTEIN’S CRIME

The invented conversation between two men, a real and a fictional person, is based on the excellence and strong presentation of the text.

On a pier in New Jersey in the 1940s and 1950s, physicist Albert Einstein struggles not only with his sailboat, but also with his theories and their consequences. The other half of the conversation is a vagabond who mirrors the world and events through his own life. On war, they disagree until they agree. The theory of relativity is not put to the test, but the questions of ethics about the use of the atomic bomb and its construction.

The existence of evil is close and also concrete. Overnight, Einstein went from being a citizen to a landless person belonging to a special group. The same is what the sceptical people of the new home country are trying to do.

Timo Torikka’s excellent translation of a text that does not contain too much or too little. Kari Heiskanen’s strong direction, where the actors’ mannerisms have been eliminated.

The main role is played by Santeri Kinnunen, whose performance is brilliant and calm, everyone who has to say is in place. Pekka Huotari’s initial slight nervousness quickly turns into a strong being and a good partner for Kinnunen.

The meetings between Einstein and the tramp are a symphony of thoughts and speech, big thoughts in a small way and smaller ones in a big way.

Living is important, content is difficult, the future is close and the past is present. An enjoyable hour and a half. A gem of theatrical art that gives a lot and keeps you awake thanks to every sentence.