Hamlet Goes Business (1987)

Even though I consider myself a fan of Aki Kaurismäki's movies, I must admit Hamlet Goes Business cannot be counted among his better work. Our Hamlet this time around is a yuppie with money and murder on his mind. Daddy was the director of a company and Hamlet wants to do some real business now daddy's gone. Kaurismäki seizes the opportunity and throws in a few scenes about the new regime of business: factories are to be closed and big bucks are to be made - his uncles plans on selling the assets and investing in .... rubberducks that are to flood the worldwide markets. Hamlet acts like a first-class asshole: he does whatever it takes to get what he wants. So don't expect too much heady stuff. Kaurismäki crafts a work of pulp: b&w sleazy cinematography along with wonderfully wooden acting. Pirkka-Pekka Petelius & Kati Outinen are very good. Beyond that - not much to write home about.