Tři životy

The screenwriter didn’t work too hard on this and the cast could do with at least a pinch of charisma. On the other hand, the director, Jiří Strach, aspires to shoot “darker" fairy tale, successfully disguising the low budget with the help of beautiful exteriors in the shape of Czech forests, meadows and hillsides. Even though he knew about the poor budget he didn’t turn to the ugly wannabe effects, so popular in this country. What definitely deserves great praise is the musical side, just a shame that its spectacularity isn’t reflected on the visual side as well. A fairytale which will never become a classic, but which, compared to all the miserable offerings that we were served in the past, is at least average and quite pleasantly bearable on Christmas Eve. Especially when you are unwrapping gifts to it. (24/12/2007)