Fair Play

Every year, two to three films are made in the Czech Republic that are really good (especially compared to the rest of domestic production). Fair Play is one of them. Powerful stories about being powerlessness in the days of socialism, about intimidation, blackmail and manipulation through an uncompromising regime have been told many times, but never in connection with sports. The directing is very precise and clean, and there is no lack of attention to detail and elaborate dialogues. Judit Bárdos in the main role of a talented athlete, Aňa Geislerová as her mother and Roman Luknár in the role of a strict coach also deserve praise. Satisfaction. (11/07/2014)

It’s been a long time since I’ve had such an intense but at the same time a scary experience at the cinema. At first glance, Fair Play looks like a classic sports drama. Watching it, however, made me realize that classic sports drama is a concept that only Hollywood has taught me to perceive. So, let’s take out the classic outline – someone sets a goal for themselves, they’re bad at it, then they get good, there’s some kind of trouble at the end, but it all turns into a happy ending. But this movie is different. Fair Play might be about a sport, but it’s also about the modern day. And I’d say it’s mainly about the modern day. Judith Bardós delivered a god-like performance – sober, human and natural. When it comes to the mom who was portrayed by Anna Geislerová, I kept thinking that if this wasn’t a movie, then this could be the very same neighbors I have in my own apartment building, so believable was her character. And that’s exactly why I was so immersed in their story. Including the series of unanswered questions. For example, the situation with her dad could have been handled way better, in my opinion. I personally can’t imagine leaving my family and emigrating because of the regime. But I also can’t imagine the secret police being nice to the people who are “acting out” and, for example, give them a month to change their mind about cooperating. Even so, I have to pay a compliment to them, because I’ve never seen such a distinctive, depressing and sad movie from that era. On top of all that, it was a solid piece of filmmaking. Fair Play is definitely a movie that the whole nation should find worthy thinking about. (13/03/2014)

A very good film with two quite crucial "buts" for me, which I will describe in a slightly spoilerish P.S. Fair Play is filmed with ease, the period atmosphere is good and Judit Bárdos is absolutely great in the lead role. Surprisingly, I also liked Aňa Geislerová this time, who gives a very civil performance. It's a compelling, sad story that wants to make the viewer think, and I hope it will lead as many of them as possible to that conclusion.____Slightly spoilerish P.S.: I didn't like the fact that the mother and the coach didn't also involve the doctor in their plan to secretly administer the stromba to her daughter, because then there would be no risk of her "telling" (which is what happened). I'm also quite fed up with StB plots that always start, run and end the same way. (12/10/2014)

A very decent attempt to make a great Czech sports film, with excellent performances and a well chosen theme. But one small detail spoils the purely realistic feel of the whole project - the main characters of the plot work in a skillfully reconstructed early 1980s retro, but it's as if no one else existed outside of them at that time. Of course, it is not only the sporting performances of Bárdos and Josefíková that are a joy to behold, and that is what it’s all about. Aňa Geislerová also royally played the role of a mother several years ago and she still has what it takes and is finding new acting roles for herself all the time. For which I thank her again. (10/07/2014)

I applaud because this really worked as a whole. The 80s, a story that nails the viewer to their chair and reminds them a bit of what was and what isn’t a given. Judit did a great job, and since she was new to me, I enjoyed getting a peek at this unfamiliar face in different positions. The direction was excellent too. The fact that I accidentally came across the film now that the Tokyo Olympics are in full swing is only enhancing my cinematic experience. And I guess that's why I can't score it any other way. (27/07/2021)