veronika-jelinkova2010

It is very pretty movie with the most beautiful proposal scene I've ever seen. The storyline, based on an effort of a young boy to find the answer on his pivotal question - which is "what's the purpose of life" - is not the most important thing in the movie. It was so good idea to make a movie about this kind of people - they are like beautiful lilies in the garden of potatoes. It is so homely and refreshing to watch their spotless minds and their straight thinking. Even though, I think it would be possible to make a better movie with all these components. I don't miss the movements and actions here at all, it would be different world then, but I think they are some scenes on the very border of what the cliché is, sometimes the border is even slightly crossed, to my opinion. They are some blind moments as well, and finally, one or too minor plot lines added into the story would be nice spice anyway, with the same slow development maintained. But it is definitely worth to see it.

„There will always be a batter field. … The Rome you talk of doesn't exist, except in your dreams."

The epic movie of King Arthur is in the first plan about the clash of ideals and the reality, if it has to be the clash. The diverse approaches to the world are personified by two principal characters both of them are on the other side but they are the best friends at the same time, which is more than apposite. This is about what the various characters of human diversity can achieve if they would be able to cooperate. It is also about how it is felicitous to follow own ideals and how much it can create. There is no historical proof for the story as it is presented in the movie, anyway, some basic points are real. Among others it is in particular Roman exploiting approach to its colonies, Saxon attitude to the subjugated people (including no breeding strategy) and the battle on frozen river, which reflects borrowed archaeological evidence from more historical issues. This scene is a real masterpiece. Unfortunately, no battle of Badon ensured the flourishing peace and repose for next generations of Picts or Britons in general. They were not wiped out by Saxons, on the contrary, the majority of population of England today is their descendants (see the Origins of the British by S. Oppenheimer), but furious ages of wars and hunger amplified by next invasions continued in the worst till the reign of Eduard I. Harsh time required harsh people. Or is it vice versa? :)

I got to used to like the performance of Clive Owen in this movie, even his acting is a bit unusual and some would be not far from truth saying he is stiff and always the same. But he is a master in choosing the roles where such an attitude is actually a benefit. I really admired the character embodied by Stellan Skarsgard. So straight, so rough, so Nordic, well presented. What I didn't like, it was the playing by Keira Kneightly. Guenievre in myths is much closer to Boudica than to an immature blathering child as Keira was at her age.

Despite the funny dialogs of Arthur's colleagues which imparted the relief and the spice, many scenes in the movie were rigid and too spectacular. Nevertheless, as a whole, this movie is a brilliant demonstration of possible way how to dispose of historical theme. It still didn't cross the line where it begins to be its caricature, and it always serves as a good subject to human reflection.

It is a real art if the director together with actors are able to father a agreeable show based on a trivial story. In the middle of the movie, we realize the half of the time is gone, but nothing still happened. The team was able to create the tension so appealing that we are absorbed, even without any grandiose plot and without any impassioned actions. The second half of the movie is filled by actions more moving, obviously very well known due to its literal master. There is a touch of misfortune, a typical British frightening countryside serves as a suitable background. All necessary components for a romantic novel are present. As an interpreting of J. Austen, the movie plays with many internal thoughts belonging to people within a romantic tradition of the end of 18th century. It seems these conversational games can last forever, never mind what's going on anywhere else. Evident, but quite pleasant case of escapism. The whole movie is a nice adventure, but with a touch of honesty, it is also a bit waste of time.