How Poets Are Enjoying Their Lives

I missed watching this film series in my childhood; I don’t really know why. Like this, however, I can be pleasantly surprised by an old movie. When we were watching it, my girlfriend quoted a number of catchphrases, and I think I might be able to do the same one day. This film is the kind of affair that won’t offend you even when you watch it fifty times and entertain you even on your hundredth viewing. A Czech classic, as probably everyone but me already knew. (12/17/2013)

An attempt to create a believable atmosphere of everyday mundane life with no school performances or university romances. Naturally, this installment ages the fastest, and thirty years after it was made, it simply drags in some scenes. Still, Štěpán fortunately remains a romantic dreamer with fewer naive desires, and the viewer's sacrifices are all redeemed by the beautiful love story at the castle. On the one hand, this results in incomprehensible stagnation in one spot (the cellar), and on the other hand, the most powerful romance with a perfect conclusion. (04/26/2005)

The third time's the charm, and it turned out well. It's funnier and, for me, more interesting than the second part. I liked how Štěpán has to deal with the interesting situations that life brings him. And he still maintains his strangely dark optimism. He actually seems depressed all the time, but he still wants to keep living and keep trying. He pursues his goal, even when it's out of sight. That is sympathetic. Matásek, however, is incredibly obnoxious. (04/18/2014)