Grand gestures, over-the-top declarations of love, and elaborate gifts… These normal romcom acts can sometimes make it seem that romance can only be done by the wealthy. But, in reality, love can happen anytime, and the first film of Aki Kaurismäki’s Proletariat Trilogy suggests that love is ultimately necessary in a world where two lovers are disenfranchised. As Nikander tries to woo a slightly disinterested Ilona, and as Ilona decides to depend on him for support, Shadows in Paradise might not have the usual frills of a romcom, but Kaurismäki finds the bare essentials in a depressing Finnish town, and captures the small ways it blooms in spite of it, through the lovers’ humorous blunt dialogue and the color their love adds to their world.
Synopsis
Nikander, a rubbish collector and would-be entrepreneur, finds his plans for success dashed when his business associate dies. One evening, he meets Ilona, a down-on-her-luck cashier, in a local supermarket. Falteringly, a bond begins to develop between them.
Storyline
Despite being painfully shy, garbage collector Nikander finds himself falling in love with supermarket check-out clerk Ilona, but their budding relationship gets tested when Iloni gets fired, and she steals from the store in retaliation.
TLDR
True love! Though maybe it's best to have your first date somewhere other than the bingo hall.
What stands out
The music selection. The tracks have a certain cinematic quality that plenty of 80s music has, with Finnish pop and rock-n-roll, but it’s the lyrics that hint at what’s coming next (and thankfully the version on streaming has the translated lyrics subtitled too).
