There's an engaging story here, some excellent cinematography, and some solid performances. Plus, it's all going on in early twentieth century Poland - what's not to like?
Unfortunately, all this promise is somewhat marred by an overdramatic score - cue one thousand violins! - that browbeats you into What You Should Be Feeling, even though you're feeling it just fine without the score. It's also rather marred by one key character who has no redeeming qualities whatsoever, whose only function is as a pantomime villain. Feel free to boo and hiss at the screen every time said character appears! Poor scripting in which characters regularly explain the plot to each other also jars: "Where are we going?" "To find a doctor!" Really? I believe I can work that out by myself, thanks very much.
Still, despite these flaws, and despite the film's descent into full-blown mawkishness in its final minutes, there's also much to engage with. Previously, most Polish films I've seen have focused on the Second World War, or on life in Poland as a Soviet client state. It was refreshing to see a Polish film set a century ago in a world that was shortly to disappear in the coming storm. No doubt there are many others, but it was a new experience for me. This alone was sufficient to keep me watching despite the occasional reflexive eye-roll.
Unfortunately, all this promise is somewhat marred by an overdramatic score - cue one thousand violins! - that browbeats you into What You Should Be Feeling, even though you're feeling it just fine without the score. It's also rather marred by one key character who has no redeeming qualities whatsoever, whose only function is as a pantomime villain. Feel free to boo and hiss at the screen every time said character appears! Poor scripting in which characters regularly explain the plot to each other also jars: "Where are we going?" "To find a doctor!" Really? I believe I can work that out by myself, thanks very much.
Still, despite these flaws, and despite the film's descent into full-blown mawkishness in its final minutes, there's also much to engage with. Previously, most Polish films I've seen have focused on the Second World War, or on life in Poland as a Soviet client state. It was refreshing to see a Polish film set a century ago in a world that was shortly to disappear in the coming storm. No doubt there are many others, but it was a new experience for me. This alone was sufficient to keep me watching despite the occasional reflexive eye-roll.