Shadows in Paradise 1986
7.5 / 10
Shadows in Paradise
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.
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.
Videos & Photos
All 1 Videos & 8 Photos
cast
Full Cast & Crew
... Nikander
... Ilona Rajamäki
... Melartin
... Nikander's Co-Worker
... Ilona's Friend
... Store Manager
User reviews
See All 1 Reviews23 Jun 2021 by CRCulver
Released in 1986, Aki Kaurismaki's Varjoja paratiisissa (Shadows in Paradise) is one of the Finnish filmmaker's earliest efforts, and it stands as one of the most idiosyncratic romantic comedies of all time. The painfully shy Nikander (Matti Pellonpää), a garbage man, means the moody Ilona, a supermarket checkout girl. The film tracks their bumbling attempt to establish a lasting relationship: dates that end as soon as they've begun, a romantic getaway where they each retreat to separate hotel rooms, and rare conversations which employ the absolute bare minimum of words. Nikander's best and only friend Melartin (Sakari Kuosmanen), whom the garbage man only recently met through a spell in jail, gives some needed encouragement. The film's soundtrack is rooted in early rock-and-roll, though unlike later Kaurismaki films where the characters seem to be living in a 1950s bubble, all the action takes place in contemporary Helsinki. I've criticized Kaurismaki's vision of Finland in other films, but Varjoja paratiisissa does, in my opinion, accurately depict the collection of gloomy, taciturn binge drinkers that are the Finns. Varjoja paratiisissa is an early work and doesn't show the confidence of later efforts, but it's still quite entertaining, its leads and their struggles extremely charming, and I would recommend the film. Certainly the performances of Pellonpää (in a typical Pellonpää role) and Outinen (who seemingly reinvents herself in every film) will prove quite memorable.
Release Date:
Oct 17, 1986 (Finland)
Run Time:
1hr 14`
MMPA Rating:
NR
Original Language:
Finnish
Production Countries:
Finland
Status:
Released
Plot Keywords:
Related Movies To
Shadows in Paradise - Shadows in Paradise
Released in 1986, Aki Kaurismaki's Varjoja paratiisissa (Shadows in Paradise) is one of the Finnish filmmaker's earliest efforts, and it stands as one of the most idiosyncratic romantic comedies of all time. The painfully shy Nikander (Matti Pellonpää), a garbage man, means the moody Ilona, a supermarket checkout girl. The film tracks their bumbling attempt to establish a lasting relationship: dates that end as soon as they've begun, a romantic getaway where they each retreat to separate hotel rooms, and rare conversations which employ the absolute bare minimum of words. Nikander's best and only friend Melartin (Sakari Kuosmanen), whom the garbage man only recently met through a spell in jail, gives some needed encouragement. The film's soundtrack is rooted in early rock-and-roll, though unlike later Kaurismaki films where the characters seem to be living in a 1950s bubble, all the action takes place in contemporary Helsinki. I've criticized Kaurismaki's vision of Finland in other films, but Varjoja paratiisissa does, in my opinion, accurately depict the collection of gloomy, taciturn binge drinkers that are the Finns. Varjoja paratiisissa is an early work and doesn't show the confidence of later efforts, but it's still quite entertaining, its leads and their struggles extremely charming, and I would recommend the film. Certainly the performances of Pellonpää (in a typical Pellonpää role) and Outinen (who seemingly reinvents herself in every film) will prove quite memorable.
Cast & Crew of
Shadows in Paradise - Shadows in Paradise
Directors & Credit Writers
... Director
... Assistant Director
... Script Supervisor
Cast
... Nikander
... Ilona Rajamäki
... Melartin
... Nikander's Co-Worker
... Ilona's Friend
... Store Manager
... Third Man
... Police Officer
... Nikander's Sister
... Pianist
AO
Antti Ortamo... Pianist
... Pelle
... Staffan
... Melartin's Wife
... Cook
PK
Pentti Koski... Singer
AK
Ari Korhonen... Man in Restaurant
... Police Officer
... Porter
SS
Sirkka Silin... Woman in Restaurant
Produced By
... Producer
... Production Secretary
... Production Manager
Videos & Photos of
Shadows in Paradise - Shadows in Paradise
Videos ( 1)
Shadows in Paradise (1986)
YouTube
Photos ( 8 )
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Shadows in Paradise - Shadows in Paradise
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