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AUTUMN SPRING Send This Review to a Friend
The Czech Republic is the source of this worthy film shown in the 2003 New Directors/New Films series in New York. Vladimír Michálek's "Autumn Spring," now in general release, deals charmingly with older folk who are trying to find happiness in living out their remaining years. There is a wonderful performance by Vlastimil Brodsky as Fanda, who, accompanied by his pal Eda (Stanislav Zindulka), gets a kick out of making mischief, such as pretending to be rich and getting a real estate agent to lay on a car and lunch in an effort to talk him into buying a huge estate. The men don't worry about the consequences.
Fanda loves his wife Emilie (Stella Zázvorková), but she is furious at his ways and much more concerned with being frugal in managing their money and planning for their funerals and burials. That seems to be all she has to live for.
Their son Jara (Ondrej Vetchy), who has an ex-wife and a new girlfriend, is scheming to get the apartment of his parents by maneuvering them to go into a home for the aged. But just as Fanda and his friend Eda refuse to go meekly to their fate, Fanda and his wife make a new beginning.
"Autumn Spring," although cloying at times, is rich in humor and warmth. It celebrates the ability to find joy in life even as time points inevitably to the end, and the film demonstrates that it can still not be too late to focus on the values one holds dear and to develop a better understanding of one's lifelong mate. It also illuminates the durability of love despite bickering and misunderstandings. The film not only is one that seniors might enjoy, but it can give young people greater insight into those around them who are growing old. A First Look Features release.
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