Perfect Strangers

The concept has been recycled so many times in recent years (and at an unhealthy pace, in my opinion). However, I was curious to see how the Czech Republic, in co-production with Slovakia, would handle it. The script doesn’t have much in the way of surprises; you can often guess what’s coming next. But I particularly enjoyed Martin Hofmann's performance. His flawless acting elevated the film to a solid 7 in terms of rating. It’s worth watching (especially considering the story takes place just before New Year's). I recommend it. For me, it’s a 7/10. (12/26/2022)

I saw the Italian original Perfect Strangers and the French remake Le Jeu and I'm pleased to say that I enjoyed the Czech version of this brilliant conversational dramedy almost as much as the original movie, even though it lacked the element of surprise. Although practically all the actors were good, I have to single out the performance of Martin Hofmann, who blew everyone away. (75%) (08/13/2022)

Six years ago, the creators of Perfect Strangers certainly did not count on the fact that the premise of their film would be translated into many languages. After the Italian original and the German remake, I went to the cinema to see the Czech-Slovak version, which has the unfortunate fate of being the umpteenth of the same theme. Perfect Strangers sticks more closely to the source material than the German version, yet that unpleasant chill at the end of the Italian film will probably remain undiminished. Conversational and intimate films rely largely on the performances of the actors, and in Perfect Strangers they handled their parts reasonably well – I would single out the Martin Hofmann-Petra Polnisova duo in particular. On the one hand, it is true that the umpteenth (and in many ways literal) variation on a theme is unnecessary, but on the other hand I don't regret going to the cinema. A weaker four stars! PS: I missed the short but all the more powerful scene with the old people on the balcony. (04/06/2022)

I promised myself that the next remake would be produced in Trinidad and Tobago, but curiosity got the better of me with the Czechoslovak version. The story of pouring white, red, and clear wine is unlikely to surprise with its plot, and I want to look for the positives. The finale, presented quite elegantly after the "magic" is over, Martin Hofmann entertaining with humor and as a Leonard Cohen light (final credits), and a ringtone that always cut through the oppressive atmosphere with the hope that a handsome man in a leather jacket and with talking digital displays would come to sort things out. I’d assess it by saying that the proper collector should have a copy on the wall and the original in the safe. (12/11/2023)

It doesn't happen often that I like a remake more than the original, and it didn't happen this time, either. I immediately liked Genovese's Perfetti sconosciuti, and I approached the Czech version with a certain skepticism. It didn't turn out so bad, largely because the creators tried to copy the original as closely as possible. I'm afraid that any invention on their part would only make me decrease the rating. What I said about the Italian original applies here, too. I consider such games to be the peak of stupidity, not only concerning the idiots who would go along with something like that but also concerning the unsuspecting callers. For example, during the conversation with the daughter, I felt like punching not just the dad but everyone who kept listening until the end. Martin Hofmann gave the most natural performance. I guess that makes him a good actor. / Lesson learned: People crave honesty until they get it. (02/26/2023)