Kolya
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Movie Reviews of Kolya
Movie Review: Time Well Spent
Summary: 4 Stars
I wasn't too sure what to expect from "Kolya" since the synopsis I read was rather misleading. For that I'm grateful because everything that emerged was a pleasant surprize. I should just stop there and let it be a surprize for you, too. However, let me just say that this is a sophisticated and well-done version of a theme that is usually done with more slapstick and "juvenile" humor. It's not that those other movies were bad; it's just that we seem to keep getting a different version of the same thing substituting different stars to attract different audiences. I recall a movie I saw as a child that starred Clifton Webb. I think it was entitled "Sitting Pretty" and it, too, seemed to have a slightly more sophisticated version but "Kolya" is a film that stands alone.
Synopsis aside, "Kolya" is also worthwhile on other levels. I enjoyed the Czech perspective of Soviet occupation. I was interested in the animosity between the two groups. I also found it interesting that the director kept pushing the idea that socialism was good but not when imposed by a foregn invader. There was a lot of excellent music and cinematography and a story that left us with a sense that we had watched something worthwhile.
Movie Review: Why Socialism Stinks
Summary: 4 Stars
Kolya is the name of the little Russian boy that is the pawn of those wonderful folks that brought you Socialism, the old Soviet regime and its Czech counterpoint. Louka traveled abroad with the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra where he is the number one cellist. Unfortunately he tells the powers to be that talking to Refusnik's abroad, it's all nonsense (not the word he used) and they strip him of his job, reducing him to playing at funerals. Desperate for money he is paid to marry a young Russian women as a convenience, so she can get to freedom in West Germany. The plan goes awry when the boy's grandmother dies leaving Louka as the father in name. The rest of the drama is a crusty fifty-five year old womanizer's gradual transformation into a loving father. The drama of the "Velvet Revolution" is background and ethical dilemma, state or individual, which in the United States was solved by Jefferson, Franklin, Madison, and other visionaries, Capitalism and Democracy with separation of powers. It can't be beaten, no matter what Socialists or their brothers, the Fascists dream up.Movie Review: HEART-WARMING CHARMER
Summary: 4 Stars
We are introduced to Louka in the twilight of Communist rule in Czechoslovakia, a 55-year old incorrigible womanizer, blacklisted concert cellist, and a bachelor with the typical bachelor conundrum -- how to make ends meet. He's slipping further into poverty when he agrees to participate in a scam to save a Russian woman from deportation by, you guessed it, marrying her. She promptly flees to the West, leaving Louka with her 5 year old, Russian-speaking son, Kolya. That's somewhat predictable, but the film has a warmth that you'd expect from Disney and carries a fluent minimalism that is truly effective. Setting the story against the backdrop of the approaching "Velvet Revolution" emphasizes Louka's spiritual growth. It does not rush his slow realization of his capacity to love, pried out by his young, innocent ward.
On the somewhat downside, the movie doesn't take too many risks, I had the sense that I could second-guess most of the next screens. Yet, this is a brilliant film with a really adorable kid, and IMHO deserved its Oscar every bit.
Definitely a worthy rental!
Movie Review: the champ in czechoslovakia
Summary: 4 Stars
this is a charming comedy set against the backdrop of the velvet revolution, wherein a middle-aged musician (reduced to playing for funerals) marries a russian immigrant for money, and subsequently inherits her child when she takes off for a better opportunity. in a movie that could have been cloying, it is consistently fresh and funny, watching the eventual bonding twixt curmudgeon and urchin. maybe its not the type of movie i usually go for -- but i did.
Movie Review: Kolya
Summary: 4 Stars
We really liked Kolya. As with so many foreign films, it offers good acting and real life experience that is often not found in Hollywood movies. Except for some very brief skin, I would recommend this to anyone.