Kolya (1997)

Go Louka...

This is a Czech foreign language film set in Prague in the late 80's. The lead actor, Frantisek Louka, is in his 50's and is an accomplished symphony cellist. He gets booted off the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra (for some unstated reason) - he struggles to make ends meet and pay his debts by playing music at funerals and restoring gold-leaf on weathered tombstones. Louka has never been married. In between his part time day jobs, Louka, a charmer, chases married women and cares for his aging Mother. He is determined to buy a car (a Trabant) but struggles to find the resources to do so - that is, until a friend comes up with a scheme to marry a divorced and beautiful, young Russian woman who is looking to get Czech papers. After significant reservations, Louka agrees to the scam so he can buy his car and pay off his debts. No sooner are they married - the woman bolts leaving him to care for her 5 year son.

The film lightly touches on the Russian occupation of the country and its impact on the populace. There are some terrific scenes of when the boy lights up when he sees the Russian military officers and their equipment - and Louka's Mother's reaction who despises the Russians.

The charm of this movie is the relationship that develops between Louka, a most reluctant father, and an adorable Russian boy. Louka comes to care and love the boy and his life is altered from his former selfish and self-centered ways. Louka is the main attraction and star in this film - playing a gruff, self-centered, talented musician trying to find his way. I also enjoyed the music and the cinematography in this film.
May 26, 2008

A Colossal Disappointment

After 35 minutes, I told my wife that, except for the scenery and the music, this could be a Hollywood movie. It tries to evolve beyond that, and it's watchable enough, but it never reaches the ranks of being memorable, much less literature. Once it reaches the requisite length, it introduces a political event that I guess we can't call "deus ex machina" because it actually happened. But that's how they end the story and go home. But in the end, we've got crusty codger, cute kid, bonding, blah blah blah. I know the Czechs have better movies. Why aren't we seeing them? It's a sad day when any European nation neglects its rich cultural heritage to try copying the literary equivalent of Big Macs. March 31, 2008

Charming In Substantive Way (not cute or silly)

This is a sensationally good movie.

Sorry to say, but that little Kolya boy has more substance and aesthetic sense than most Americans (and I am a native born American, so I'm allowed to say that -- one good thing about America).

The movie is charming. But it also shows how there is a whole world out there wherein there is appreciation for, and the living out of, aesthetics and substance.

There is culture and cultural distinction (Czeck -vs- Russian) aplenty in the movie.

As a bonus, if you are trying to learn Russian, the little-boy enunciation of Kolya is, for some reason, far easier than an adult's speech for a Russian-as-a-foreign-language listener.

In truth I just got the DVD but I've watched it on my LaserVideoDisc (the old 12" analog video disc). March 13, 2008

Heartbreaking and heartwarming in equal measure

A beautiful film which takes its time and trusts in its hugely likeable characters. The incredibly affecting relationship between Louka and Kolya is allowed to grow organically and believably. Frankly, my only criticism of the film is that their time together is far too brief. I'd have happily watched their interaction for several more hours! Both Zdenek Sverak and Andrei Chalimon are mesmerising performers. The boy is angelic and completely true-to-life at the same time. I can't think of a child's performance that has moved me so much. Also, unlike lesser films where minor characters often seem like afterthoughts, here every single one seems like a real person. This is truly astonishing, life-affirming film-making. If you don't find yourself in puddles of tears during Kolya's bath-time phonecall to his Baboushka, you must have a heart of stone!
February 23, 2008

Kolya

Kolya is a beautiful story about how a little boy and an older man have their lives crossed and how they are forever changed. The performances and cinematography are perfect. Seeing this movie on DVD gives the viewer the opportunity to also view the production notes...an interesting story about how they found this beautiful little boy, who is not a professional actor, but just a precious little boy. One of the best foreign films ever in my opinion. July 31, 2007

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