Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
"Autumn" Leaves 'Em Laughing, November 2, 2003
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 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. There is a certain irony here, but that 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.
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10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Live life or plan dying!, May 8, 2006
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......MzRizz
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Cute and charming, February 23, 2004
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.
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