Monday, June 4, 2012

The Crucial Years (1967)

The Crucial Years • Kristove Roky (1967)
The Crucial Years • Kristove Roky (1967)
Czech New Wave
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Director: Juraj Jakubisko
Starring: Jirí Sýkora, Jana Stehnová, Vlado Müller, Miriam Kantorková
Language: Czech, Slovak
Duration: 95 min.
Rating: 7.3
Summary:
The story of Juraj, a Slovak painter in his early thirties living in Prague, who realizes that up till now he has been leading a superficial and carefree life. At the crossroads he decides it is time to grow up and tries to change his ways.
The Crucial Years also known as The Prime of Life is the first feature film by Slovak director Juraj Jakubisko. It was awarded the Josef von Sternberg Award (Most Eccentric Film) at the 1967 Mannheim-Heidelberg International Film Festival. A graduate of the famed FAMU academy in Prague, Jakubisko became a prominent figure in the Czechoslovak New Wave and is one of the rare remaining filmmakers from that era still working today.

It's a highly experimental effort that joyfully embodies the spirit and outlook of the Czechoslovak New Wave. A semi-autobiographical story of a young bohemian artist searching for his place in life, filled with offbeat moments, poetic imagery, and spontaneous interludes.

The plot follows main character Juraj (Jirí Sýkora) not coincidentally sharing the same name as the director, a single painter who lives a carefree life in the city, and contrasts his life with that of his older brother Andrei (Vlado Müller) a decorated military pilot and family man. Although each of them have chosen different paths in life, and they both appear to be somewhat envious of each others lifestyle, they do enjoy a good brotherly relationship.

The story sounds straight forward but it isn't, relying mainly and perhaps too heavily on strange imagery, odd almost fantasy like moments presented with intentionally overexposed cinematography that often blankets the screen in washed out shades of white; a lively camera that glides, hovers, and twirls to follow the action; and a few short color sequences spliced in to the mostly black and white film for good measure.

There should be noted, a very noticeable French New Wave influence can be seen throughout here. Jakubisko channels but doesn't quite imitate Godard with his youthful and irreverent style, especially in some of the street scenes; and actress Jana Stehnová, even comes across a little bit like a Czech Anna Karina, turning in an enchanting perfomance in the supporting role of Jana, Juraj's not-so-serious love interest who later catches the eye of Andrei.

Certainly an interesting debut effort from a clear talent who displays enough flashes of brilliance to make it a fun watch; and although I enjoyed it, I think overall it's too unfocused and its lack of a coherent narrative makes it difficult to really recommend it.
Bonjour Tristesse
The Crucial Years • Kristove Roky (1967)

The Crucial Years • Kristove Roky (1967)

The Crucial Years • Kristove Roky (1967)

The Crucial Years • Kristove Roky (1967)

The Crucial Years • Kristove Roky (1967)

The Crucial Years • Kristove Roky (1967)

The Crucial Years • Kristove Roky (1967)

The Crucial Years • Kristove Roky (1967)

The Crucial Years • Kristove Roky (1967)

10 comments:

FilmMasterT said...

Great review! Can't say it looks particularly interesting though.

Michaël Parent said...

I don't know why this one looks interesting! I'll have to catch it sometime.

The Angry Lurker said...

Sounds like my early and late life but still sad!

Lisa Thatcher said...

Ohhhh.... I LOVE all Cannes talk etc etc, but THIS is back to the truly great stuff on your blog for me. The stills you have added look VERY Godard and Truffaut! This is one for my list for sure. I can't wait to see it. Great review and wonderful wonderful to see the Czech New Wave Posts again!

Bonjour Tristesse said...

Thanks, and no worries, I'm aware this one will only appeal to very few.

Bonjour Tristesse said...

Yeah, I think you might enjoy this one. I hope you get the chance to view it.

Bonjour Tristesse said...

Hahaha. Don't fret, it sounds a bit like mine as well my friend.

Bonjour Tristesse said...

Thank you Lisa! These posts only get a tiny fraction of the readers as the Cannes posts, but comments like yours more than make up that difference for me. Thanks for your continued support!

d_4 said...

I think uh.. I think maybe in some years when I finally get done more of the Czech New Wave you've posted that I might be able to enjoy this one more, but right now probably isn't a good idea.

Bonjour Tristesse said...

Sure take your time, it's not like this film is going anywhere. :)

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