Just like Pasolini's Salo this film might speak of wise things, but Menzel covered it in such thick shell of cynicism that it is hard to look deeper into this adult fairytale. Every character is presented in charming fashion, but in fact every each of them is repulsive and obnoxious.

An interesting experiment shifting including everything, but not limited to, war, sex, idealism, racism, simple life, hedonism, cynism, tragedy and everything in between. I believe the author tried to encircle too many themes, but still I really enjoyed the movie. Not neccesarily what I expected, but definately Czech cinema at one of its finest (imo!).

"Dite's limited awakening is neither tragedy nor the kind of bitter, fatalistic farce seen in Lina Wertmuller's Seven Beauties." - Bill Weber

Not a bad film at all, it stays (for the most part) very faithful to the book and manages to capture both Hrabal's bawdy humour - and it is very funny - and his more bitter observations. Some really good performances as well. Unfortunately, Menzel is a little too fond of voice-overs, and while the cinematography is simply beautiful, that becomes a bit of a problem when Menzel starts fetishizing naked women as much as his main character does.

Amusing shaggy dog story, but pretty heavy on the objectifying women front.

Absolute, unqualified masterpiece. Unflaggingly humanistic, yet horrifying in its later chapters. Dozens of naked babes, yet featuring one of the most ironic and most moving love stories ever committed to film. Beg, borrow, or steal to see this

one of the worst Menzel's film- no, THE worst

a fairy tale that didn't really grab me