From Subway with Love [Roman Pro Zeny (Czech Republic) ]

Finale Plzen

From Subway with Love


Roman Pro Zeny (Czech Republic)

By EDDIE COCKRELL

A Bioscop release (in the Czech Republic) of a Ceska Produkcni 2000 production. (International sales: Ceska Produkcni 2000, Prague.) Produced by Petr Chajda. Executive producer, Rudolf Biermann. Directed by Filip Renc. Screenplay, Michael Viewegh, from his novel. With: Zuzana Kanoczova, Marek Vasut, Simona Stasova, Miroslav Donutil, Stella Zazvorkova, Ladka Nergesova, Jaromir Nosek, Jan Sverak. A Czech/Slovak variation on the commercially viable Bridget Jones model of comic meller, "From Subway with Love" starts strong out of the gate and manages to skate over a scattershot second half on sheer good will. Sturdy local box office in its first fortnight of local release coupled with the audience award at the Finale Pilsen fest, will propel pic to muscular regional biz and durable ancillary.

While traveling by tube to her job at an upscale women's magazine, 23-year-old beauty Laura (Slovak thesp Zuzana Kanoczova) discovers that in place of some advertising billboards on her train are passionate love letters to an unnamed woman signed by someone named Oliver. Later, while at the beauty shop, she confesses to her hairdresser pals that the missives are intended for her. This prompts an extended flashback to her relationship with the rugged, older adman (Marek Vasut), who seduces her with sophisticated talk out from under hapless b.f. Rickie (Jaromir Nosek) during a skiing holiday in Slovakia's Tatras mountain range.
Once together, Oliver and Laura struggle to reconcile their differences: She thinks he drinks too much, and he's perplexed by the sheer volume of her hair care products.

Laura's perpetually agitated mother Jana (Simona Stasova) fingers Oliver as the same boorish lover she'd had years before, a relationship charted in a hilarious early extended flashback that only makes narrative sense following this revelation.

Also figuring in the action is Laura's pensive, henpecked neighbor Mr. Zemla (vet singer/thesp Miroslav Donutil), bitter, man-hating chum Ingrid (Ladka Nergesova), and wisecracking grandmother (Stella Zazvorkova, star of "Babi Leto").

Helmer Filip Renc, who managed the not insubstantial task of turning the 1968 Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia into the vibrant yet self-conscious 2001 musical comedy "Rebelove," performs a similar feat with Michael Viewegh's witty but overly ambitious adaptation of his own novel. Keeping the pace lively and underscoring the action with a series of faux French tunes warbled at key moments by Czech thrush Iva Freuhlingova, Renc manages to reign in a number of unruly subplots that dissipate the central action.
Still, at just past the halfway point, pic loses some velocity, rallying only with a proliferation of the public love letters and a visual gag that reunites Laura with Oliver.

Kanoczova imbues Laura with just the right amount of dignity, Vasut embodies every annoying tendency of what Jana describes as Oliver's "narcissistic self-pity," and Stasova steals the movie out from under everyone as Laura's carnally headstrong mom.

Tech package is stylish, with fine use made of spectacular Tatras locations and Jitka Matiaskova's distinctive costuming. "Kolya" helmer Jan Sverak pops up as a waiter appearing at the couple's table immediately following a joke about Jan Sverak.

English title on print caught is "A Woman's Novel," literal translation of the original Czech. Pic bears a dedication to Patrik Stoklasa, who has a single scene as a sunny messenger.

Camera (color), Petr Hojda; editor, Jan Mattlach; music, Jerome Degey, Eric Capone, Michel Eli, Arno Elias; art director, Petr Fort; costume designer, Jitka Matiaskova; sound (Dolby Digital), Radim Hladik Jr; associate producers, Tomas Hoffman, Petr Zempliner, Ondrej Zach; assistant director, Jiri Kacirek. Reviewed at Finale Pilsen, Czech Republic, April 29, 2005. Running time: 100 MIN.

Source: http://www.variety.com/review/VE1117927005.html?categoryid=31&cs=1&p=0

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From Subway with Love

The second last film I watched during the film fest. A simple and romantic story. Yet filled with love. Perhaps it is because I am on cloud nine with all the developments in my life now....

I am reminded of my joy and happiness....I am reminded of the times I took things for granted. I am reminded to cherish what I have for they may be taken away from me any moment. I am not sure if the story is real or not. Have yet to check it out. But if I were to meet a guy like that, it is really a miracle if I can survive the events like Laura.

The scenes of Tatra Mountains (if I remember correctly) remind me of the snow and winter in Denmark. The harsh, dry and cold winter snow flakes falling down on the rooftops, cars and jackets of people on the streets. I love sticking my head out of our apartment window. The cold winter wind caressing my face as the snow flakes dance in front of me as it is the time of the year when they get to be in the limelight again....

Snow flaks dancing joyfully telling me that there exist purity somewhere in the world. Just have to pause and look for it.

I think of the times I went skiing and ice-skating. Freedom. Fresh Air. Love. Happiness!

I think of the times I look out the window and watch him walk home to warm cozy sofa and delicious warm food (cooked by me of course!).

I think of the little children playing with the snow in the park.

I think of the little ducks and swans gathering by the lake waiting for someone to feed them with bread crumbs to make it through the cold winter.

I think of the old ladies and old men sitting by the lake simply reading a book and enjoying the sun in the cold winter days.

The film simply brought back so many memories that I wish I were back in Copenhagen again, where life is truly enjoyed.

OKie dokie...time to sleep....

Dear Lord

Thank you for everything that has happened in my life. I pray for your blessings and guidance as I make my way through the challenges ahead. I pray that you keep Matt safe and happy. I pray that you will bless us with a happy and meaningful life ahead as we start the new chapter of our intertwined lives.

In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, Amen!