Oldies But Goldies

Vu dans le cadre du « Challenge Tour 2015 : 30 jours de cinéma mondial ». Film numéro 27 – République tchèque. Comme à l’accoutumée avec Jiří Strach, ce film a une âme et rayonne d'humanité et d'énergie positive. Agréable, touchant, gai, triste, drôle… On pourrait trouver encore bien d'autres adjectifs pour décrire Vrásky z lásky. Jiřina Bohdalová excelle dans le rôle principal et sa coexistence douce-amère avec Jiřina Jirásková et, surtout, ses attendrissantes chamailleries avec Oto sous les traits de Radoslav Brzobohatý, sont le point fort du film. Les histoires avec un vieux couple sur la route ne sont pas légion, ni dans notre pays ni même en Europe ou à l’autre bout de l’océan, ce qui rend un tel film d'autant plus précieux. (25/04/2015)

Unexpectedly good. I enjoyed the high level of unconventional humour (with a few exceptions), the absence of cheap sentiment and pathos (which the premise might tempt) and Epstein's relatively intelligent script. And I demand the Czech Lion for Bohdalová! She was excellent and completely overshadowed all the others. Another interesting thing was the post-film discussion with Epstein and Strache, which confirmed to me that the they approached the film with selflessness and humility. Jiří Strach is a very nice man and a good person, but that’s something I already knew. They also reflected on why the film had a low attendance. And here I would agree with the filmmakers that it is hard to sell a film about two old people in this day and age of a myopic and senseless cult of youth, and that respect for old age is generally at a pretty low level in our society. Michálek’s Autumn Spring had the same problem, it fizzled out in our cinemas without much of a response, while in the US, where old age is viewed quite differently, it was a success. (22/07/2012)

An absolutely amazing and gripping movie. The plot is great, like something out of real life. About two senior citizens who decide not to give up. Although the movie revolves around just two main protagonists, but they are played by two acting legends who give (in my opinion) their best ever acting performances. This movie really spoke to me and the director nailed it. The script is humorous while at the same time dramatic. (21/02/2013)

For me, this is a film where especially Jiřina Bohdalová and Radoslav Brzobohatý show their acting mastery at an age when many people are already giving up on life. Indeed, they are great and can't be faulted for anything. I wasn't impressed with the story itself, but I was impressed with the performances, which were spiced up with nice supporting characters and confident direction by Strach. (04/10/2017)

A nice film, but without Radoslav Brzobohatý and Jiřina Bohdalová it would have been worse, quite a lot worse. I didn't even mind that Jiří Strach so blatantly builds a kind of cinematic monument to both (and other) actors. If I had a problem with anything, it was with Marek Epstein's script, which is more restrained than his other scripts have been lately, but still has too many simple jokes for my taste, many of which are one-liners and a few of which I wouldn't be afraid to say are downright cheap, vulgar and offensive. It was a good spectacle (despite the slightly drawn out introduction, definitely by Czech standards). But compared to Autumn Spring... (03/02/2013)