Bad Luck (1959)

In this pointed black comedy, Jan, a middle-aged, nondescript everyman, desperately wants to remain in prison, though the state says it is time for him to go. The hapless hero launches into his life story of hard luck and misfortune, covering the years from 1930 to 1950, a time of great change in Poland's history. As Jan continues his story, it is clear that he has been so busy trying to please others that he never noticed the enormous changes happening around him. Prison, with its never-varying routine, is indeed the ideal place for Jan.

A life of bad luck is many funny stories

"Bad Luck" (Zezowate Szczescie) is a movie about an old man who is in prison and does not want to leave. He tries to persuade the prison official he is better off in prison by telling him stories of his bad luck in life. He relates stories of his whole life, from childhood to middle age, but his stories always end in disaster for him. The stories are funny, but I did feel a little sorry for his misfortunes.

As the stories from his life cover just before, during, and after World War II, we get to see some light satire of the changes that took place in these years. I enjoyed the fact that it covered some of the issues from these times in a lighthearted manner, as so many films about it are depressing. "Bad Luck" may be in black and white, but much of the appeal and its humor are timeless.
March 23, 2006

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