Customer Reviews

Autumn Spring [VHS]

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I'm a little surprised that no other Amazon reviewers have posted anything on this Czech charmer. This is definitely the kind of "in-theaters" sleeper that usually inspires a few "snap-up-the-DVD-the-moment-it's-released" reviews. Justifiably so in this case. When I took it in recently, on a friend's recommendation, there was applause over the closing credits, and for once, that kind of reaction didn't seem ludicrous to me.

AUTUMN SPRING is a gentle comedy about one's man refusal to "go gentle into that good night." A prankster, whose usually innocent practical jokes do no harm and keep the specter of debility and death at least somewhat at bay, Frantisek (Fanda) Hana does get in a bit over his head at times. When one of his jokes backfires, resulting in substantial financial loss, it strains his marriage to the more staid, long-suffering Stella. When a follow-up prank has him feigning his death and leaving Stella distraught, she feels compelled to seek divorce--after 44 years of marriage.

It's fairly easy to predict whether or not Stella will go through with the divorce. But the scene in which she reconsiders and he vows to mend his ways is so deftly acted, so understated, that its transcends cliche. Indeed everything about this movie is pitched just right. I hate to speak ill of my native land's film industry--and Hollywood CAN do some things right. But the last thing I would want to see is an American re-make of this quiet, and quietly funny little gem.

The one negative print review I've read of this film took note that--unlike the life-affirming Fanda--the celebrated Czech actor,Vlastimil Brodsky (CLOSELY WATCHED TRAINS, JACOB THE LIAR), who portrayed him committed suicide shortly after the film was completed. Some will see a certain irony in that, but the reviewer's claim that this tragic real-life turn of events "refutes" the point of the film is, at the very least, arguable. We don't know if Fanda would ever take his own life, or under what circumstances he might. What we do know is that, for as long as he is able and alert, he will continue to live his life to the fullest, and drive all around him crazy in doing so.

Engaging in this movie stimulates our mind about our life and the inevitable death. This 2001 Czech movie provokes one to ponder if you can seriously enjoy and be amused in old age, or will you obsess with preparing for your mortality?

With poignancy and humor, an aging man, Fanda doesn't take life serious, while his nagging wife, Emilie, remains so frustrated with him as she constantly obsesses over preparations for their deaths. Their grown son, contributes to the aura of doom by pressuring the couple to a retirement home so he can have the apartment. We learn that the couple have nothing in common as they live their remaining years.

Fanda is interested in enjoying life! He lives life for today, and while death is certain, it is not on his mind. Together, with his best friend, they embark on schemes, cheating, lying, conning, simply for amusement. Most scheming or conning is harmless, but it can get out of hand.

We sympathize with both, because in reality, most people tend to reflect Emilie's position, and we so much want to enjoy life like Fanda, minus the scheming and conning.

The movie begs the question, do I want to live before I die, or die while I'm alive. Ironically, Vlastimil Brodsk, (Fanda) took his own life shortly after filming the movie. This is a wonderful movie that has garnered numerous awards......Rizzo

This sweet czech film is about an old man who refuses to join the cult of "waiting for death" that most of the aged around him, included his wife, seem to think is the only appropriate way to be. He and his buddy are terminal pranksters who try to milk every bit of fun out of their existience as they can, much to the consternation of his family, who wants him to settle down and act like his life is over. This is truly touching in moments, quietly funny in others and very life affirming altogether. The acting is restrained, but suitably and realistically human. Nothing really stands out on a technical level, but it doesn't need to with such endearing characters.

I thought my husband had really lost his marbles when he brought this video home for us to watch - but how wrong I was. It's a gem, a winner, over-the-top wonderful. There are really only 3 characters in it (with a small part played by the couple's womanizing adult son): Fanda and his wife, Emilie, and Fanda's friend and partner in innocent crime, Eda.
Emilie is obsessed with saving money in little cans, each with its own purpose, but the can that preoccupies her for 9/10 of the movie is the one where she's saving for their funeral expenses. All of her talk is about their deaths, their funerals, what music, what will be posted in the newspapers - and in her amble spare time, she wants to visit cemeteries and take care of graves.
Fanda? Well, Fanda would rather live than die, and if he had his druthers, he'd like to live the good life. He and Eda sneak off to tour estates that are for sale (posing, of course, as wealthy prospective clients), trick pretty girls into kissing them as a bribe. He likes to smoke, drink good liquor, take French lessons, laugh, and enjoy life.
Their son wants to move them out of their already cramped apartment and into a retirement home so he can take over their apartment. Emilie is - - - oh, fergeddit. I'm telling too much. I don't want to spoil if for anyone. Just trust me on this and watch the movie. I guarantee you'll emerge grinning. Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful film.

Please don't listen to the one reviewer who gave this a bad review. He is very confused. This movie will make you laugh and cry! A great film that does not pretend to be something it's not! Just don't take my word for it. Here are some awards: Winner audience award for Best film Clevland International Film Festivl, St. Louis Film Festival, Official selection Toronto International Film Festival, 4 Czech Lion awards, and the list goes on!!!!! This is a film that should not be missed! Viewers if someone gives a bad review of some film do me a favor and check the movies they liked {such as the critic of this film who liked a UFC film} before you listen to their advice!

I couldn't agree with the fellow reviewer who said that this is one of those "sleeper" movies that could go unnoticed very easily. I have been watching a lot of Czech movies and bumped into this one by happenstance. Needless to say, it is one of the best I've seen so far.
Frantisek Hana is in his mid-seventies, but possesses an unbridled zeal for life. He is enchanted by blooming flowers and beautiful sunny days and revels in the tiny pleasures derived by playing child-like pranks. His partner in crime is Ed and the duo celebrates their old age by living life to the hilt. In one of their pranks, Hana & Ed portray themselves as wealthy expats, planning to buy a palatial mansion. They get a free limousine ride to the countryside mansion and some fine wine. However, their little prank blows up as the estate agent manages to find their true identity and slaps a 30000 Krown fine. Multiple attempts (pranks really) to raise the fine money leads them into funny and hilarious situations, emphasizing the serendipitous nature of life. Having exhausted all pranktical means, Hana eventually steals the money from his "funeral" fund.
This severely infuriates his wife, who is a perfect antipode. She has surrendered to old age and lives under the morbid ambition of being buried in a second-hand grave and saves furiously for her funeral. She has worked out all the post-death formalities and even selected a picture that'll appear alongside her epitaph.
Hana's domestic life is the usual grind. His wife condemns him for being crazy and not taking his old age seriously, while his son is eying his apartment for his ex-wives and children. The ensuing movie drama will take you through scary divorce threats, deadly pranks, emotional courtroom scenes, endless love, compassionate & unconditional friendship and woes of aging bodies.
However, everything has severe underpinnings of humor, which is a synonym for being alive. Stellar performance by Vlastimil Brodský.

This is how movies should be made ...

This is a real nice, funny,charm and smart movie about older people, older body does'nt mean old heart, between smile and smile people can think about this age and Frana's play show us
the movie could be light and predictible but movie has a message about respect to old pepole, really I garantee you'll enjoy this movie

I can't really add anything to the first three reviews posted here; they're accurate and perceptive.

I DO feel compelled to correct Chris Cox's contention that there is no technical excellency here -- in addition to wonderful performances from every member of the cast, a touching and delicate script, wonderful music, great sound and deft direction, I was astounded by the cinematography and especially the lighting. Every scene is beautifully lit, especially the outdoor scenes.

Perhaps Chris missed this because it is one aspect of filmmaking which is usually most apparent when poorly done.

When I saw this movie in Theatres i couldn't stop cracking up! The movie also teaches many things "in between the lines" as they say. I recommend this movie to anyone who wants to have a great laugh.

I found myself asking this question early on; this film was too trite and "cute" as opposed to anything entertainingly meaningful about getting older. In fact, it made me feel sad rather than entertained. When I saw it had been made for Czech TV, I realized it was like a movie of the week over there.