Mistakes

Banality with banal characters in a banal setting, but it’s very well cast and acted, and even touching in its gentle and precise depiction of the dramatic nuances in the conflict between two newly in-love people. This film has heart and, mainly, the fantastic actress Pavla Gajdošíková in the lead role. She elevates Mistakes to four stars. (10/03/2023)

A gallery of life failures and a parade of regular participants in pileups from the unsolvable intersections of adulthood. Although Jan Prušinovský's narrative is once again revealed to be one in which men are more easily forgiven and women occasionally get punished simply for being women, it is difficult to tear your gaze away from what's happening. The slightly wooden but all the more believable cast cannot be underestimated, with Pavla Gajdošíková proudly standing out, delivering one of the most natural and impressive performances in contemporary Czech cinema, without any tricks or mannerisms. Yes, I have quite a few criticisms of the final act, which at times happens just for the sake of happening, so that we can have catharsis along with the main duo. However, as a whole, Mistakes is so unique and sharply drawn that its usual domestic counterparts pale in comparison. (11/07/2022)

I'm feeling satisfied and I am happy with this movie, albeit with minor reservations. It is necessary once in a while within Czech cinema to express support for a movie that really seems like it is a real movie; with characters that really resemble lively characters; with their problems that actually sound like everyday problems; with an environment that truly feels like a real environment; without product placement for a brand of men's suits and similar crap. It may sound like a given, although you can see for yourself what percentage of Czech movies a year meet these conditions. (21/12/2021)

Well, take me to the sun and put a curl in my hair! I finally came across a Czech film that I could rate with full enthusiasm, without having to squint. Although... nobody would know it from me:-) And what emotions it brought up in me! "What will people say about that?" That's a sentence that immediately sends my blood pressure monitors into the red zone. You see, for most of my adult life, my public opinion has been stuck in the rear end; let everyone think whatever they want, the only one who truly knows me is myself. And sometimes I even doubt that. I notice that the vast majority of people are very eager to judge the actions of others; I may be irreligious, but I fully agree with the biblical wisdom about the speck and the plank. Wow, this movie really got me worked up. That's a clear positive point for its creators. The only thing I didn't understand is the reason to forgive an alcoholic, a violent person, and a deceitful schemer all in one. They say love is blind. Well, I would say it's also deaf, without a sense of smell, touch, or taste. Anyway, whoever wants to go somewhere is already there. Pavla Gajdošíková was fantastic, though, and I can finally cheerfully praise a Czech film without feeling guilty. Awesome. / Lesson: Clear your internet browser history. (23/02/2022)

Director Jan Prušinovský relies on unknown faces that add authenticity to the story of a passionate love affair going on in the sultry atmosphere of a small town. Everyone makes mistakes, but as it tends to be in life, you always pay for your sins. Especially when they are freely available to see on the internet. Social prejudices, hypocrisy and human limitations can take on truly enormous proportions, especially in a village environment. All this and much more is told with a good dose of bitterness in this all-round well-made movie. (80%) (20/03/2022)