Lights in the Dusk

Play trailer

Lights in the Dusk

2006,

1h 18m,

Drama

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

68%

41 Reviews

Tomatometer

72%

2,500+ Ratings

Popcornmeter

68%

Tomatometer

41 Reviews

72%

Popcornmeter

2,500+ Ratings

Koistinen is a security guard at a shopping center whose dreams of a better life are continually crushed. Things seem to be looking up when Mirja shows an amorous interest in him, but what he doesn't realize is that he's being set up as the fall guy by a gang of jewel thieves. Observing his plight is Aila, who runs a fast food stall and carries a torch for him but is overlooked in favor of Mirja.

Critics Consensus

From its brilliant cinematography to its compassionate characters, Lights in the Dusk is another successful exercise in deadpan minimalist comedy from Aki Kaurismäki.

Read Critics Reviews

J. R. Jones

Chicago Reader

Oct 16, 2007

Kaurismaki creates some beautiful frames, carefully composing his affectless characters against the rooms' colors, but there's something wrong with your story when people are upstaged by the decor.

Go to Full Review

Wesley Morris

Boston Globe

Sep 21, 2007

3.5/4

It's a deceptively satisfying, almost magical achievement, like being stranded in a desert yet never going thirsty.

Go to Full Review

Marjorie Baumgarten

Austin Chronicle

Aug 25, 2007

3/5

Kaurismäki's spare style and economical storytelling are well-suited to this particular story about loneliness, as the director never muddies the frame with sentimental dross or lugubrious inclinations.

Go to Full Review

Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

Jun 3, 2011

C+

Though it's the weakest of the three panels that form Kaurismaki's trilogy, which began with Drifting Clouds in 1996, it's still worth seeing.

Go to Full Review

Enrique Buchichio

Uruguay Total

Jan 22, 2008

3/5

Un relato crudo, probablemente desconcertante y extrañamente tragicómico, sólo para seguidores incondicionales del director, que repite su estilo sin sorpresas.

Go to Full Review

Jennie Kermode

Eye for Film

Dec 7, 2007

4/5

Read all reviews

Poe M

Jan 21, 2018

I feel sorry for the poor protagonist. Unfortunately, shit does happen like this.

Han S

Apr 2, 2017

Slow-moving and uninteresting; not one of Kaurismaki's best.

Read all reviews

Aki Kaurismäki

Director

Janne Hyytiäinen

Koiskinen

Maria Järvenhelmi

Mirja

Ilkka Koivula

Lindholm

Maria Heiskanen

Aila

Sergei Doudko

Russian

Rang de Basanti

91%

94%

Rang de Basanti

Watchlist

Tropical Malady

80%

77%

Tropical Malady

Watchlist

Troubled Water

90%

Troubled Water

Watchlist

Monsieur Ibrahim et les Fleurs du Coran

86%

86%

Monsieur Ibrahim et les Fleurs du Coran

Watchlist

Heaven's Heart

80%

Heaven's Heart

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

Critical Consensus: "Silver Surfer" Trips Fantastically, "Nancy Drew" Without a Clue, "DOA" Dead on Arrival

Toronto Wrapup: Senh, Jen And Tim’s Raves And Rants From The Festival

TORONTO: Reviews of "Borat," "Paris, Je T’aime," And More

View more photos

Synopsis

Koistinen is a security guard at a shopping center whose dreams of a better life are continually crushed. Things seem to be looking up when Mirja shows an amorous interest in him, but what he doesn't realize is that he's being set up as the fall guy by a gang of jewel thieves. Observing his plight is Aila, who runs a fast food stall and carries a torch for him but is overlooked in favor of Mirja.

Director: Aki Kaurismäki
Producer: Aki Kaurismäki
Screenwriter: Aki Kaurismäki
Production Co: Sputnik Oy
Genre: Drama
Original Language: Finnish
Rerelease Date (Theaters): Jun 13, 2007
Release Date (DVD): Oct 16, 2007
Box Office (Gross USA): $13.8K
Runtime: 1h 18m

Join The Newsletter

Join The Newsletter

Cookie Settings