2002, Finland/Germany/France
Comedy, Drama, Mystery
A man's memory has crumbled as the result of a violent assault, just as Helsinki, Finland, has crumbled under harsh economic times.
In director Aki Kaurismäki's second film in his Finland Trilogy (the first being Drifting Clouds) a mystery man finds himself penniless and without a name, but soon manages to gain a roof over his head, an odd group of vagrant friends, and a girlfriend stolen from the local soup kitchen.
Everyone around him seems more concerned with his identity than he does, even as he tries his best to gain both employment and his memory. His lack of background goes so far as to offend many who believe he is lying, and even lands him in jail. But despite the bitter doubters, he still manages to bring about positive change in this town of hardship. As the Salvation Army band learns to appreciate rock n' roll, so does the mystery man relearn to appreciate the little things that may not have been apparent in his previous life, and seeks the paths that bring him fulfillment.
Within Kaurismäki's bleak landscape lies a subtle humor and an overwhelming and innate kindness of people, once the ice has been broken. As soon as the comedy is discovered, it shines through all of the worn sidewalk cracks in what could be a depressing tale of scarcity. But faith prevails, and when an opportunity presents itself, each soul is given a second chance for happiness.
The pan-and-scan DVD is slim and only includes subtitle options and trailers of other movies, but it is worth viewing this film from Finland's foremost directors who (with his brother) provides most of the country's motion picture entertainment.