Ariel
1988
**½
Director: Aki Kaurismäki
Cast: Turo Pajala, Susanna Haavisto, Matti Pellonpää, Eetu Hilkamo, Erkki Pajala, Matti Jaaranen, Hannu Viholainen, Jorma Markkula, Tarja Keinänen, Eino Kuusela
A jobless miner moves from Northern Finland to Helsinki, but his life turns from bad to worse. A romance with a single mother is the only bright spot in his life. Following Shadows in Paradise, this is the second part in a so-called Proletariat Trilogy, which concludes with The Match Factory Girl. This overstylised and absurdist dark comedy is the weakest of the trio. Apparently Kaurismäki wrote the script over a weekend, and I can definitely believe that. Things happen for no rhyme or reason and the characters are ready to make stupid decisions without a moment's hesitation. However, they are never responsible for their own actions, just unlucky or ruthlessly exploited.
