Claysaba Excellent, Without a doubt!!

Livestonth I am only giving this movie a 1 for the great cast, though I can't imagine what any of them were thinking. This movie was horrible

Doomtomylo a film so unique, intoxicating and bizarre that it not only demands another viewing, but is also forgivable as a satirical comedy where the jokes eventually take the back seat.

Jakoba True to its essence, the characters remain on the same line and manage to entertain the viewer, each highlighting their own distinctive qualities or touches.

Artimidor Federkiel There's a somewhat magical, perversely paradoxical thing that might take hold of a watcher of Kaurismäki films: Which is that one might find oneself so intrinsically entangled in the lives of characters, their trials and tribulations, that it doesn't seem that important anymore whether the story on screen ends with, say, a happily ever after or a joint suicide. Sounds strange? Seems consequential, though...That's because a film about tragedies that feel real manages to transcend its medium and hit home. It's because the simplicity and directness of the material without embellishments or over-dramatization touches something in us, brings us down to our own existential level. Rather than impose feelings on the characters we can't help but empathize with them, genuinely. And once we are at this point, we're likely to have learned our lesson, dig up some profound truths, long before the credits roll. This is true of a couple of equally absorbing social dramas from Kaurismäki comparable to "Drifting Clouds", ranging from "Shadows in Paradise" over "Ariel" to "The Match Factory Girl". As for "Drifting Clouds": Despite the downward spiral Kaurismäki's ordinary people find themselves trapped in, survival seems to be dependent on primarily one thing: to rely on one another, to give support, faults aside, to pick oneself up, to fight against the odds, to succeed or succumb - together.That's what Kaurismäki losers do: struggle with determination. They are working class people, who have very small dreams. Like getting themselves a simple TV set (it has colors!), and pay for it later. But when reality hits hard, again and again, their dreams have to focus on other things, and so these dreams become bigger and more and more improbable to realize. Kaurismäki just observes. The acting is understated, the characters humble, words are scarce. Even music and sound are diegetic only (except for one key moment), all we hear is happening on screen, is not suggested from the outside. Humour of course is not to be missed, and dead-pan at that, the directing is precise, economical. Very Finnish, tailored to Finnish lives, and yet it feels universal, because through this lens we become witnesses of something larger.You might look at clouds as they drift away - castles in the sky, pipe dreams they say. Trying to reach them could be a vain exercise, even tainted by doom. Make sure to fight your fight, though, for you will discover that you are not alone. You will learn to understand others, and others will understand you. If you go under, there's at least a shared journey to remember. Or your fate, masking as coincidence.

kakoilija I'm sad to say that this is the best of Finnish cinema. Finnish cinema is otherwise uttercrap! I wouldn't say that this is a good movie... it's entertaining and definitely worth watching.However, it is like all Aki's movies. Nothing new here either... I mean... I think that Man Without Memory is better. The newest movie by aki is worse than all the rest...Yes rent it and see if you haven't seen other Kaurismäki movies. I think that the paste is a little slow... also the cinematography is definitely NOT great.People are like people who live in the country side in Finland. Some people are still doing a lot worse than this... I've seen so many junkies and alcoholics in my life... that the life of this couple may be poor, but definitely not as complicated as could be.Still this is the best of Finnish cinema, which is otherwise not even mentionable. =D

slake09 I particularly liked Man Without A Past, by the same director, and this is much in the same vein. A couple having financial difficulties tries to make their way. Sounds like all of us. Only this couple delivers delicious witty dialogue in a deadpan style that cracks me up every time. Even their fights and make ups are so understated that it's a style all it's own. Don't look for the obvious here, it's hidden under a layer of Finnish humor so opaque that you have to watch very closely to see even a glimmer of laughter in anyone's eye.The film is gloomy, depressing, bleak, but somehow it does your heart good. Even when things seem to be at their worst, you can't help but feel that the hardworking and honest couple will manage to somehow get back on solid ground and right with the world. You want them to. You need them to. They simply must, or your poor little heart will break.It's hard to describe this film because nothing much seems to happen, there are only the normal setbacks of life in the low income zone, but by the end you realize that you've seen a great movie and are happy with it. What helps keep you interested are the dialogue and the understated style. For example, why do all the men wear their hair the same way? Does anyone own clothes that aren't drab? Why does all the furniture look like it's from the 1950's? All these questions and more will occur to you while watching the film and wondering if anyone will ever crack a smile.

Mort-31 What I particularly like about this film are its colourful settings, suggesting a Helsinki less grey and damp as portrayed in other films. The screenplay, the acting and the directing are precise, which is the main reason why this sad story is really a comedy. The story is very clear and therefore not boring - a quality not applicable for every Kaurismäki film. Yet Ilona and Lauri's fate is surely not a classic example for what happens to Finn worker couples today, I think the bizarre surroundings underline the whole film's quirky and slightly absurd mood.This is the best Kaurismäki film I've seen up to now.