Kolya
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Movie Reviews of Kolya
Movie Review: Wonderful ...
Summary: 5 Stars
An excellent movie from Czech Republic (Czechoslovakia till 1989). The story revolves around a cellist called Louka (Zdenek Sverák... as handsome as Sean Connery) who despite his virtuosity only plays at funerals. Louka is middle-aged, single and has promiscuous flings with women. He is struggling financially and gets coaxed into a surrogate marriage with a Russian lady. The marriage is a trite business deal: The Russian gets Czech citizenship and Louka much needed money. However, the Russian emigrates to West Germany as soon as she becomes a Czech citizen. The cops smell fish and come looking for Louka. Things get even better when Louka gets surprise baggage in the form of Kolja (his Russian wife's son played by Andrei Chalimon). Kolja can only speak Russian, has nowehere to go and Louka is forced to take him in. This marks a turning point in Louka's life.
The reluctant father & reluctant son interaction is hilarious, heartwarming and poignant. In one of the scenes Louka prepares dinner and tea for Kolja, who stubbornly refuses to eat. Despite Louka's constant urging to eat Kolja doesn't oblige. Louka gives up, turns away from the dinner table in hopeless despair. After a little while he comes back to dinner table to find that Kolja has finished the hot cup of tea. Kolja has taken Louka in. Their bond gets stronger and they get close to each other. Louka even manages get his ex-girlfriends to sing lullabies for Kolja over the phone. Suddenly, Louka finds immense sense & purpose in his life. However, life takes another turn and his Russian wife comes back from West Germany to take possession of Kolja (she isn't staying). Kolja leaves with his mother. Louka is a lonely person once again, but transformed.
The movie is very artistic and some of the best scenes in the movie do not have dialogs, just powerful silent expressions and gestures. A better part of the movie has been shot in beautiful Prague (a city brimming with stunning architecture, paved streets, magnificent bridges and beautiful people) that just adds to the movie's appeal.
The movie alludes to the Velvet revolution, but that didn't capture my attention at all. This is a movie about relations and letting other people in, music and leading a simple purposeful life.
Masterful acting by Zdenek Sverák and Andrei Chalimon.
Movie Review: Excellent Czech Film
Summary: 5 Stars
My favorite film of all time about the developing relationship between an older man who became a father figure to a young boy was, CINEMA PARADISO. I didn't think I would ever see a movie as great. However, after seeing KOLYA, few films captured the nurturing spirit and deepening trust and affection that developed between a little boy and an older man; the unsuspecting, Louka who would became his guardian after the boy, Kolya was abandoned by his mother.
This film tugged at the heart because the role of the soon to be surrogate father is an unemployed middle-age cellist, Louka, who lost his job with the Czechoslovakian Philharmonic Orchestra. Louka is at times comical, yet witty because he is so affable and likable. He doesn't appear to distress too much, despite his predicament of not being employed. Instead, he seems somewhat nonchalant as he pursues ways to earn money. All the while, he contents himself with various lovers, yet considers himself a confirmed bachelor. And no matter the pressure and complaints from his mother, he likes his life unmarried and w/o children.
Yet bills are going unpaid, and Louka realizes he needs to find work to maintain his apartment and help support his mother. For these reasons he begrudgingly accepts his friend's proposition to marry a young Russian woman as a way to earn a lot of money, which Louka desperately needs. Never did he anticipate that the woman would flee and leave behind her five year old son, whom Louka must ultimately take care of after the young boy's relative dies. Matters are further complicated because there is a language barrier. This young child speaks Russian and has to learn to speak Czech.
As the film unfolds, this charming five year old melts Louka's heart. Louka becomes his faithful and loving protector, and little Kolya finds himself equally attached to Louka, and affectionately calls him 'father'.
KOLYA is great film that will remain one of your all time favorite.
Maizie Lucille James
July 11, 2010
Movie Review: Bittersweet and unforgettable
Summary: 5 Stars
My husband actually brought this home from our public library and I am so very glad he did.Having read the other reviews, I have to agree that most likely something was missed in translating to the English. "Word-play" in one language can be impossible to translate into another and still retain a humorous meaning. So I really didn't find the movie funny at any point.
However, it was an experience not to be missed. I thought the growing relationship between Louka and Kolya, complicated at first by their lack of a shared language and by the upheaval in both of their lives, was handled with great sensitivity.
The bathtub scene in which Kolya tries to "telephone" his dead "Grandma" will stay with me forever. Partly because I can imagine a real, grieving five-year-old doing something like that and partly because of Louka's silent but evident compassion for Kolya.
In the key-ringing scene, it was symbolic that the secret police investigators who interrogated Louka earlier in the movie are on-hand, ringing keys, and that the policemen and Louka see and acknowledge one another.
The movie was bittersweet in so many ways, as real life can be, also. There's so much more to say, but I don't want to ruin the experience for anyone who may not have already seen the movie.
For anyone thinking of watching it, please don't let the subtitles hold you back. It has been a very long time since I have seen a movie that was so strong in its simplicity and so honest in its character portrayals. Word-play may not have come through, but the humanity of the movie needed no translation.
Don't miss out.
Movie Review: A touching film with beautiful cinematography
Summary: 5 Stars
This is a very nice little film. It works on a well-run formulaic basis -- anti-social, anti-marriage older bachelor gets stuck with a small child who changes his life and values. But it is so much more satisfying when pulled off by skilled smaller filmmakers on a human scale rather than done up in Hollywood with the likes of Sandra Bullock and Hugh Grant.
Value is also added to the formula by placing the action at the time of the fall of the Iron Curtain and the transition to a democratic system in the former Czechoslovakia. So there are nice local historical and cultural factors -- most notably the fact that the child in question is Russian, and therefore is automatically despised right out of the gate by a significant section of the local population. It gives the film a good chance to look at these stereotypes -- which is itself formulaic, I know. But you know why they use formulas? Because they work. They have an emotional effect on the average human being, as demonstrated by focus group after focus group. The formulas are executed well here, and the cultural context leaves us, the non-Czech viewing public, with plenty of fresh input to explore. It doesn't feel stale at all.
Finally, I have to mention the cinematography. It's not spectacular like "Lawrence of Arabia" or anything, but it really is brilliant. I found myself enthusing a lot about the quality and beauty of the shots in the film. Highly recommended!
Movie Review: very good....
Summary: 5 Stars
KOLYA is a great film that quietly examines the transformation that takes place in a confirmed bachelor's life, when the unexpected presents itself at his doorstep. Louka (Zdenek Sverak) is a cellist who once played concert halls, and must now work at making a sparse living, playing at the Prague crematorium, during the fall of the Soviet Union, since he has been blacklisted by the Communist government authority. What's more, a friend of his makes him an offer to acquire a great deal of money in a short amount of time. He must agree to a sham marriage with a Russian woman (Stella Zázvorková). If this doesn't sound questionable enough, there is another detail to add into the mix. This woman has a young son, Kolya (Zdenek Sverak) , who speaks no Czech. Of course, Louka speaks no Russian. The little boy is dropped off at Louka's modest studio apartment, and the confirmed bachelor who has grown quite set in his ways, must learn to adjust to life with a small child. Little does he know how much this life change will affect him for the better.
KOLYA works very well on several levels. It succeeds as a compelling character study, sometimes humorous, and insightful look at post-U.S.S.R Czech Republic, politics and its supressive effects on Czech citizens. Really interesting.