Drifting Clouds (1996) review

Tough times have fallen on Finland's economic health, and married couple Ilona (Kati Outinen) and Lauri Koponen (Kari Väänänen) are directly affected: he's fired from his job as a trolley operator and then she's laid off as head waiter of an upscale restaurant, and then they both struggle to gain full employment.  Although there are a few scattered 'offbeat moments' from the typically eccentric Kaurismäki, this is actually a stone sober examination of the stress and strain placed on individuals unable to earn a living, and the manner in which he sets up obstacles for his two protagonists - Lauri is about to be hired to drive a bus to St. Petersburg but fails the physical, Ilona eventually works for a snack shop but the owner is a tax-evading scumbag, etc. - is extremely affecting.  The Finnish auteur isn't cruel enough to allow them to suffer endlessly, however, and Ilona's blessed by reuniting with a benefactor (and former employer) who helps her open her own fine dining establishment.  It reminds me of an important lesson we were taught by one of our business professors in college: "If possible, always try to find a way to work for yourself."