Shadows in Paradise

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Dani G Always nice to watch the films of Kaurismaki. A very enjoyable and peculiar style that is similar to no one Rated 2.5/5 Stars •  Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 11/22/23 Full Review Audience Member It is curious to consider Aki Kaurismaki's wholly unique allure, arising as it does from a genre virtually entirely unto itself. He is frequently an acquired taste; if his work doesn't resonate with you, you will find it dull and tedious to the point of extreme. For those who grow to identify with him, his deadpan vision never ceases to elicit a smile inside, while his passionately overwrought musical scores substantially heighten the effect. He is not really a cynic, he merely pretends to be. In truth, his apparent cynicism is merely a grudging willingness to laugh at the absurdity of the human condition while doffing a hat to mankind's steadfast resilience in the face of drudgery. All that I have said is directly applicable to "Shadows in Paradise" along with the remainder of his consistently enjoyable film catalogue. As one of his more overtly humorous works, "Shadows in Paradise" will surely make an excellent entry point for any who wish to probe the strange world of Kaurismaki for the first time. Rated 4/5 Stars •  Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/14/23 Full Review dave s In director Aki Kaurismaki's cinematic world, characters seem to exist in dusk-like conditions, rarely smile, and smoke an astounding number of cigarettes. Shadows in Paradise is no exception. Nikander is alone in the world, a garbage man by day who spends his evenings…well, frowning and smoking. Ilona is a grocery clerk by day who spends her evenings…well, frowning and smoking. Destined to be together, they begin a tentative relationship and ultimately find some sort of redemption and meaning to their bleak lives as they make their way through their stark surroundings. Despite the fact that the editing seems choppy in some scenes, the film is nicely shot and the acting, although extremely subdued, is consistent with the dour mood of the movie. While not at the level of Kaurismaki's The Match Factory Girl from a few years later, this early effort is still worth a viewing. Rated 3.5/5 Stars •  Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 03/30/23 Full Review Audience Member Short, sweet, offbeat comedy by Aki Kaurismaki. Rated 4/5 Stars •  Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/27/23 Full Review s r An odd ball romance that certainly influenced people like Wes Anderson. Rated 2.5/5 Stars •  Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Audience Member Kaurismäen läpimurto. Suomalaisen elokuvan ehdoton klassikko. Matti Pellonpää ja Kati Outinen työläisversio Tauno Palosta ja Ansa Ikosesta. Sakari Kuosmanen täydellisessä roolissa. Voiko tähän enää lisätä mitään? Mahtava elokuva. Rated 4.5/5 Stars •  Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 01/12/23 Full Review Read all reviews

Shadows in Paradise

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