(Aki
Kaurismaki/1983/Finland)
A
reworking of the novel set in Helsinki. Rahikainen is a slaughter
house worker who takes a day off and breaks into a flat and kills a
rich old man. It’s premeditated like in the book. He’s seen by
Eava but then it splits away from the books plot. She becomes
embroiled in his moral dilemmas and eventually emotionally involved
with him too. The mood is perfect, seedy, low key and angsty
complimented perfectly by the early 80’s backdrop of Helsinki.
There’s a hopelessness which proposes “what difference does it
make?” Being his first feature length Kaurismaki hasn’t developed
his characteristic black humor yet so we are on maximum strength
bleakness. Recommended if you like wallowing in existential anxiety.
(4/5)
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