Men in Hope

I consider myself a simple viewer who enjoys the small things, but how am I supposed to enjoy a film that sells something as morally decrepit as a noncommittal comedy? The moment the protagonists start to question their conscience and look for a way out, there is a catharsis in the restaurant. That solves the situation in a truly shrewd way, but most importantly, it DEFENDS all their behavior because it's actually the best thing for everyone, instead of them feeling any shame. The same goes for Vejdělek and the smiling crowds of satisfied viewers seem to be swept away after leaving the movie theater. (13/02/2012)

Vejdělek, Renč or Poledňáková... all of them have been making identical fairy tales for adults lately. Brand - to make everything pleasing to the eye. Actresses/dolls, rooms like from a magazine and some sort of plot, so that there is a reason to change the dolls in those rooms often. In this case, add a little bit of inner Prague and the result is complete. What, you don't like that? (19/10/2014)

I'm very pleasantly surprised and I dare say I haven't been so nicely entertained by a Czech film in a few years. Everything revolves a good script, which is at times unlikely, but has no dull spots. The acting duo of Macháček and Polívka is a perfect combination. And the new starlets Kerekes and Hřebíčková were at times more than just nice backdrops. Simona Stašová's departure was quite a shock and the whole hall roared. Nice music, good humor... I'm satisfied, so I'm re-evaluating (5 stars). (08/10/2011)

After a very long time, I gave Czech cinema a chance and it turned out as tragically as expected. I naturally expected a made-for-TV feeling – that's the standard in Czech productions. I also expected weak and stiff performances from some of the actors – that's also normal. But I haven't seen such a terribly bad adaptation of a screenplay in a long time. It could have been a decent film on its level (after all, Polívka knows how to act), one that tackles a sensitive social issue in a slightly light-hearted way, but instead, it's a ridiculous farce where everything is good and nothing is wrong. I wonder how the director functions in his personal life. (25/02/2012)

I went as a man in hope and left as a man in dismay from the fact that, despite his wide experience, Vejdělek doesn’t know what he actually wants. Whether this is a comedy, a drama, a tragicomedy, a satire, a farce, a relationships movie, or what... And each new segment is a new style like “everybody gets a go". And although each segment is not at all bad in itself (mainly the purely comic or purely dramatic), the end result is nothing; nothing good, nothing bad. (29/08/2011)