Thursday, 13 July 2017

Shadows In Paradise

(Aki Kaurismaki/1986/Finland)

Kaurismaki starts refining his tropes in this one. Two people at the bottom rung of society’s ladder but aspiring for more meet and don’t exactly gel but there is something. Their erratic lives clash and swell and separate but there is still something. And they go for it. This is a lovely, brilliant film. There’s detailed shots of bin collections, there’s rock n roll and blues (of course there is this is Aki Kaurismaki) and there’s Helsinki in all its grimy 80’s glory. One of my favourite films not just by him but ever. There’s hope no matter how hopeless the now is. Absolutely essential viewing.

(5/5)

No comments:

Post a Comment