[1] Mertsi (Peter Franzén) is an intelligent young Finnish soldier fighting against the Soviet Union in World War II.

During a battle in 1941, Mertsi is shot in the head and sustains substantial brain damage that leaves him unable to cope with the demands of a normal life.

Two of his friends, Eetvi (Taisto Reimaluoto) and Ville (Ahti Kuoppala), try to help him by getting him employed at their places of work so that they can keep an eye on him.

Mertsi decides to travel to Ville's village and take care of the dog by clipping his nails.

[2] In a separate review in 2008, Weissberg referred to Dog Nail Clipper as "emotionally satisfying but quirky".