This early Kaurismaki is very different from his other films. A fairly straight adaptation, although set in modern Helsinki. He alters certain elements, but the essence of the story is there. Although I'd rather read the novel again, I think he did a good job. There's very little of his deadpan humor here. Deadpan, yes. Humor, not so much. You do see (or rather, hear) his use of diegetic music but what's most striking is the use of NON-diegetic music, which is mostly corny and unnecessary.