Victoria

Movie from environment of Czech republic with great artistic value.

Czech cinematography always pulls on my sensitive strings. This movie is no exception. Its careful psychological study of ordinary people and their extraordinary behaviour, served with typical Czech simplicity, is just mesmerizing.

A very quirky burlesque of the tragic politics of the Czech Republic in the mid 20th century. Not exactly a comedy, but there were a few deftly handled comic motifs. Julia Jentsch really carried the film as the tragically ardent young Sudetan Nazi. The darkness beneath a grotesque lampoon of the satyr-like eroticism of greying millionaires is actually quite sad.

The word I would use to sum this whole movie up: charming. I saw this film last year at the Vancouver Film Festival and instantly fell in love with it. It's funny, sexy, poignant and incredibly... charming!

I expected more for this comedy-drama. The closest I can compare with in it's style is 'La vita è Bella' (1997) but in style only. I did get to laugh a few times, but it ends there. You never get attached to any of the characters and some scenes are over the top. Acting is ok and some nude scenes seemed gratuitous. All in all, not recommended but, at best, good enough for a 6½.

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