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Varjoja Paratiisissa (1986)

Comedy | 76 minutes
3,49 67 votes

Genre: Comedy / Romance

Duration: 76 minuten

Alternative title: Shadows in Paradise

Country: Finland

Directed by: Aki Kaurismäki

Stars: Matti Pellonpää, Kati Outinen and Sakari Kuosmanen

IMDb score: 7,4 (8.406)

Releasedate: 17 October 1986

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Varjoja Paratiisissa plot

Nikander is a bachelor who drives a garbage truck. After the death of his colleague, he lost the opportunity to become independent. He gets an untrustworthy boyfriend, and meets Ilona, his new girlfriend, an unemployed supermarket worker. Nikander likes to be in love, but she hurts him a lot.

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avatar van Robi

Robi

  • 2526 messages
  • 2525 votes

This is another typical Aki Kaurismaki film. All elements are present again, including the absurd humor and vague dialogue. Matti and Kati play the leading roles again, so what more could you want. Although the film does sag a bit at the end.

dutch flagTranslated from Dutch · View original

avatar van Spetie

Spetie

  • 38871 messages
  • 8143 votes

A very typical Kaurismäki indeed with a seemingly somewhat depressing story, with people who are having a hard time, but there is always hope and fortunately his typical black humor is not missing here either.

This Shadows in Paradise, together with Ariel and The Match Factory Girl, belongs to the so-called "working class trilogy". All three films are about people who have to work hard to make ends meet. The structure is very minimalist. The dialogues are sparse, the atmosphere and setting are austere and gray and the characters seem truly drawn from life. It is precisely because of that last point that Kaurismäki's films often work so well, because they are people with whom you as a viewer can identify well. They have countless bad qualities, but always manage to radiate a certain sympathy.

The acting is excellent. The great thing is that the characters, in contrast to the gray atmosphere, are very colorful. It is precisely that contrast that makes this fine cinema, which is also romantic. Two people quite like each other, but both have their dreams and ideals and that actually creates unnecessary obstacles for their relationship. The hopeful and very beautiful ending, completes the story. Add to this the excellent black humor and Kaurismäki has once again delivered a film that left me with a very pleasant feeling.

Finnish cinema at its best this.

4.0*

dutch flagTranslated from Dutch · View original

avatar van Fisico

Fisico

  • 10039 messages
  • 5398 votes

Pelonpää does a great job as single Nikander who has a quiet job as a truck driver. His heart beats a little faster when he meets the beautiful Ilona. Now, the many vibes don't translate into romantic drivel. It all remains a bit stiff. You can never lose a smile and the conversations are bone dry. Great to follow actually.

The pattern at Kaurismäki always remains the same, a bit of a different context, but the general setting remains the same. You have to like it or you won't like his oeuvre. Special humor, a bit crazy how difficult mutual communication often is. You expect an explosion at any moment, but it remains with some dry words.

Great acting as always and great atmosphere and setting. More of this I would say. Kati Outinen often returns in Kaurismäki's films. She rarely disappoints, not as a young, but also not as a more experienced actress in her more recent oeuvre. Nice!

dutch flagTranslated from Dutch · View original