Matti, Erkki, and Rauno are three childhood friends that have not seen each other in years. One Christmas Eve, the trio reunites in a karaoke bar and the middle-aged men reacquaint themselves with each other, sharing joys, sorrows, triumphs, and disappointments. But the evening heads in a different direction when a mysterious woman comes into the bar. Director Mika Kaurismaki and the three main actors-Kari Heiskanen, Pertti Sveholm, and Timo Torikka-collaborated on this semiimprovised comedy-drama inspired by the methods of John Cassavetes. Working without a script, the four developed character only, creating back-stories for each independently of the others. The result is a typically Kaurismaki-ian character study with a wholly unique process behind it.