Film

What's on at the cinema plus reviews of the latest movie and DVD releases


The Match Factory Girl (1990)

Director: Aki Kaurismäki

Average user rating
No reviews

Movie review

From Time Out Film Guide

This final part of Kaurismäki's 'Working Class Trilogy' (which began with Shadows in Paradise and Ariel), has an affecting, fable-like simplicity. The tone is set by striking, almost abstract shots of the factory where shy, unattractive Iris (Outinen) sits checking matchbox labels on a production line. After handing over her hard-earned wages to her selfish mother and stepfather, Iris whiles away her spare time in a coffee bar, or waiting in vain to be asked to dance at the local disco. Her one attempt to break out - buying a pink dress, meeting a rich man, spending the night with him - inevitably ends in pregnancy and humiliation. Cheques, not feelings, are the currency of emotional exchange, left on bedside tables or sent with cursory notes saying 'Get rid of it'. Finally pushed over the edge, Iris plots a calm, methodical revenge on those who have poisoned her dreams. Despite the Bressonian overtones, the film has more in common with the radical proletarian pessimism of Fassbinder. Influences notwithstanding, Kaurismäki remains one of a kind.

Author: NF

Time Out Film Guide


What do you think?
Post your review now

clear rating
Min 1 star. Zero stars will be treated as unrated.

*mandatory fields





Top Stories

Ben Drew aka Plan B interview

Ben Drew aka Plan B interview

The singer, rapper and now film director discusses his debut film 'Ill Manors'

Cannes Film Festival 2012: final round-up

Cannes Film Festival 2012: final round-up

Dave Calhoun draws the curtain on the world's greatest film festival

Béla Tarr interview

Béla Tarr interview

The Hungarian auteur tells Time Out why he's quitting

The Palme d'Or effect

The Palme d'Or effect

We explore the fortunes of the past decade’s Palme d'Or winners

Ridley Scott interview

Ridley Scott interview

Director Ridley Scott tells Cath Clarke why he's making a science fiction comeback

Open-air movies in London

Open-air movies in London

Cath Clarke rounds up this summer's crop of outdoor film screenings

Ken Loach interview

Ken Loach interview

Ken Loach talks to us about his Cannes Film Festival entry 'The Angels' Share'