The Tough Ones tells a story of two friends who have a hard time finding their place in the society. Antti and Jussi are released from jail. While they were doing time for bank robbery, the third man involved in the robbery, the one who was not convicted, has become a policeman. He tries to help his friends to settle into the small town in Pohjanmaa, but the boys start a black market liquor business instead. The road seems to lead back to the jail.

The Tough Ones

Partanen, a middle-aged owner of a small machine shop, is puzzled by the wants and needs of everyone around him. His new employee, a mysterious youngster who works like a robot, wants to be left alone instead of being bothered with questions like what's his name and address. The co-workers want the overproductive and antisocial guy kicked out. Partanen's wife wants a divorce, and his teenage son wants whatever it is that teenagers want. A competitor wants to buy his business. Partanen tries to understand everyone and everything, but the most difficult question remains: What does he really want from his own life?