Shadows in Paradise - Kaurismäki's deadpan beauty, anyone else?

Okay, so I just re-watched 'Shadows in Paradise' (again!). And man, Kaurismäki's got such a unique rhythm. It's like watching a train in slow motion, but somehow you can't look away. The whole film just exudes this quiet desperation, a yearning for something more. Nikander, bless his heart, is trying so hard to climb out of the garbage – literally and figuratively – but everything seems to conspire against him. What really gets me is the pacing. Like, some scenes feel almost painfully long, like that extended shot of Nikander and Ilona just existing in their apartment. But that's the point, right? It's not about flashy cuts or dramatic reveals; it's about the mundane, the repetitive, the sheer slog of daily life. And even in those seemingly uneventful moments, Kaurismäki manages to inject this subtle, almost absurd humor. The scene where he throws the coffee and yells is one of those moments. Ilona's character, too, is just so perfectly understated. She's not some damsel in distress, but she's clearly worn down by life. That supermarket scene where they first meet is just chef's kiss – so awkward, so real. The deadpan delivery of the lines, the way they barely look at each other... it's just brilliant. And you somehow root for them even though they're clearly making a series of questionable decisions. Would love to hear what everyone else thinks. Does the slow pace work for you, or does it drag? And what's your favorite Kaurismäki film? I'm always looking for new recommendations. Maybe I'll give 'Ariel' another watch, though I didn't like it as much last time around. Thoughts anyone?