Calamari Union (1985) review

Several dapper gentlemen - all of them named Frank with the exception of Pekka (Markku Toikka), who shouts phrases in English - are tired of living in their current neighborhood, so they collectively travel to the borough of Eira - when they get there, they hang out, drink and smoke a lot and, as time passes, most of them perish.  Even though this is Kaurismäki's second feature it already shows him in full control of the style he would employ for the next few decades - sharp black and white cinematography, jazz and rock concerts, men trapped in a state of ennui, etc. - but after a semi-amusing first half hour, the "jokey" premise wears itself out and the humor gets so dry it becomes nonexistent.  Finnish people will probably be able to read more into it than I could - I suppose the big "gag" is that Helsinki is actually a delightful and peaceful city (I've vacationed there in the past, had fun and would be delighted to return to one day) and those who complain about it don't realize how good they have it.