Fallen Leaves * * * * *

I really liked this film.  There is something about Finnish deadpan humour that  resonates with me.  At times it was so extreme I wondered if I was misinterpreting it, but no, they really can speak that terribly to each other without any malice. Indeed they do it as an expression of love. Dark humour indeed.

Apparently the director Aki Kaurismaki (sounds Japanese, but he isn't) has made a couple of other similar films like this and it's part of his "proletariat" series.

I thought we'd go out for a drink.

If proletariat is to portray the poor and the working class he's really hit the nail on the head with this. Our two main characters (and their respective best friends) work hard for little pay.  He works in an engineering factory, she works in a supermarket.  Boring work and long hours.  

He's so poor he lives in a hut on the premises with other workers. She has a tiny, tiny flat that she inherited from her Grandmother. She considers herself lucky, she has no rent. Nevertheless she still can't afford the electricity bill.

They meet briefly at a Karaoke night in a pub.  Neither of them sing. They don't even talk to each other on the first night, but they exchange glances.  He can't stop thinking about her.

Back at their respective work places misfortune plays its hand and they both get the sack. She was unfairly dismissed.  He more or less brought it on himself for drinking on the job.  He is an alcoholic. 

He still can't stop thinking about her. He manages to meet with her again.  And then lets her down. But another opportunity comes along. Struggling with her own life and bitter memories of her past she has to decide what to do with this chain smoking, alcohol dependent, but otherwise kind and decent man.

It's bleak, dreadfully funny, with unexpected acts of kindness and cruelty.  And at ninety minutes it tells its story with beautiful efficiency.