Shadows in Paradise

Aki Kaurismäki is one of Finland's cinema's most recognizable export products, but I never really saw the appeal. I don't mind a bit of Scandinavian dryness, but not when the presentation of the film suffers because of it. Shadows in Paradise is a rather simple drama about regular Joe's living their lives, and that's all I got from this film.

Nikander works as a garbage collector. A colleague approaches him, asking him if he wants to go independent, but before their plans come to fruition, the man dies. Instead, Nikander is teamed up with the less reliable Melartin, and he hooks up with Ilona, a store clerk who just got fired from her job.

The setting is grim, the characters don't have much going for them and the drama feels pedestrian at best, though the film does become a bit livelier during the second half. The film is short though and it's not the worst spending some time with these people, but it's not my idea of a good time.