This is Finnish acting and dialogue done right. The slowness and solemnity that the narration underlines is both a fitting way in which to tell the story and an apt treatment of the rural Finnish spirit it depicts. The inevitable escalation of Pasi's troubles, although apparent, isn't packaged in the proverbial arc of a tragic character, but is instead dragged along until it all ends. The moralist depiction of drink is secondary to the emptiness into which Pasi's existence is subordinated.

Watched the longer mini-series version and was not disappointed. This is a slow, slow thing. There are a lot of times when not much is happening, but also it's integral to understanding the family and Pasi's inner workings. I think my favorite thing about it was that not everyone is a professional actor. That makes the dialogue seem very natural and familiar. The almost documentary style brings the story even closer and makes it feel very raw.

I get that the message of how bad alcoholism is, is actually a good message. But the series is really nothing else but misery porn