Autumn Spring
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Movie Reviews of Autumn Spring
Movie Review: a good solid film
Summary: 4 Stars
A friend and I enjoy foreign films and wanted something light-hearted. We were intrigued by the description of the film and gave it a go. After viewing it once, laughing and smiling through it all, it made the "must own" list. The characters are delightful and sincere; the actors seem to be everyday people. This is a feel good film without any sap.Movie Review: wonderful family movie
Summary: 4 Stars
I am just beginning to explore the Czech movie genre through my Czech born wife and if this movie is any indication of the caliber they produce I am in for a treat, this movie is funny and emotional...everything you go see an American movie for!Movie Review: Cute and charming
Summary: 3 Stars
This sweet czech film is about an old man who refuses to join the cult of "waiting for death" that most of the aged around him, included his wife, seem to think is the only appropriate way to be. He and his buddy are terminal pranksters who try to milk every bit of fun out of their existience as they can, much to the consternation of his family, who wants him to settle down and act like his life is over. This is truly touching in moments, quietly funny in others and very life affirming altogether. The acting is restrained, but suitably and realistically human. Nothing really stands out on a technical level, but it doesn't need to with such endearing characters.Movie Review: sorry to rain on the parade, but...
Summary: 3 Stars
I must admit: this film is cute and it does have some nice funny scenes. But take it easy, it is not a great film. I found it to be alternately engaging and then distancing. I also found myself waiting for it to end already; also not a good sign. There are some good ancillary performances from the other actors, but on the whole I found this to be surprisingly shallow.Movie Review: Bland, predictable and cliche...
Summary: 2 Stars
There are certainly some memorable scenes in this film, but as a whole it just didn't quite work for me.
Vlastimil Brodsky is indeed a talented and endearing actor but spends the whole film playing the same stock character: Fanda, a maddening yet adorable grandpa, oh-so-young-at-heart, oh-so-mischievious and impish, but somehow oh-so-good-hearted and harmless that you can't help loving him warts and all.
In fact, that's one of the fatal flaws of this movie: the lack of any dark side to any of the characters. They're all basically harmless Walt Disney types, even the bumbling and self-absorbed son. There are no real consequences to Brodsky's actions other than Stella (his wife) finally talking divorce but it's obvious almost as soon as the words are out of her mouth that she'll come back to him. There is no center, no force or dynamic power in this film---it's like a limp wine that you tolerate because you don't want to hurt the feelings of your host.
The ending also relies on another lazy device, the virtual deux ex machina in the person of Stella suddenly transforming into a spirited accomplice/supporter of Fanda's when she sees that his attempt at self-reform is only making him miserable.
This film might've been much more effective and poignant had it spent more time dealing with Fanda's desperate fear and avoidance of dealing with old age and death, instead of focusing on how clever, audacious and adorable of an elderly madcap he is, which makes much of the film reek not only of kitsch but even worse, narcissism. One wonders if the director was just so awestruck at the chance to work with Mr. Brodsky, who is a towering figure among Czech actors, that he decided to turn the film into a bit of a hagiography of him.
A more accurate title for this movie, especially given the ludicrous ending shot as the credits roll, might be: "The Fantasy Life of a Poor Old Man."