Like one of the previous reviewers, I was lucky enough to catch this gem of a film on a coach trip to Prague when I was living in the Czech Republic. It was the first Czech film I saw, and is still my favourite. Of course anyone who didn't grow up under communism will miss a lot of the humour and references, but generally speaking it has a wide-ranging appeal, and the convoluted situations are really funny at times, especially the incidents with his neighbour. The music is good too - mostly man-and-a-guitar type songs. I wish it were possible to find this in Britain, but foreign language films are a tiny market here, especially obscure communist-era East European films... Overall though, this is thoroughly recommended and if you're ever in Czech on a yellow Student Agency coach make sure they show this!
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windymilla8 December 2008
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tskeffer16 July 2006First I would like to say it's a comedy for sure. But I would also add the genre crime to the movie.
In this movie there's a guy playing a fake waiter. That's not his only crime though. But the other crime is more in a moral way. But i'm not gonna spoil for you what that is. But basically these two "crimes" play a mayor part in this movie.
If you have a chance to see it be sure to grasp that chance. It's not a superb comedy, but a nice little comedy. There are enough jokes to keep you amused during the movie.
Greetings from the Netherlands. -
d-millhoff7 November 2021I saw Vrchni, prchni! When it was making the rounds in art house theaters in the 80's. A sweet comedy about a bookstore owner who owes alimony to several failed marriages tries to moonlight as a violinist to make ends meet. In doing so, he inadvertently finds a new occupation as a small-time but ubiquitous grifter.
Please be aware of spoilers in Pavel Vetesnik's and other reviews. They'll kill the surprises.
This movie is packed with inventive gags, clever writing, and wry comedy, and escalates towards an elaborate, over-the-top climax.
Interestingly, the American theatrical release ended with a title card noting that during his time in prison, he became so good at the violin that he was hired into the Prague Symphony Orchestra after his release. This is missing from the Czech DVD release (from which a friend converted a US-readable copy). -
zogmorph26 October 2004It's been over 20 years since I saw this movie in The Nuart, L.A.'s premiere art house theatre, and it's still one of the funniest, most memorable films I've ever seen. A suave but down-and-out would-be concert violinist on his way to an audition, is mistaken for a waiter and discovers a new, if not terribly legal or honest, source of income. I won't say anything more, I don't want to spoil the fun.
Good writing, creative gags, a fine sense of irony, and a refreshing respect for the audience's intelligence. I wish this movie were available in the USA on DVD or VHS, I'd snatch up a copy without hesitation. -
adamkovic28 October 2001This is one of pearls of Czech filmography. The intro-song Severni vitr (The northern wind) links the fate of the main character with the goldseekers of Northern America, though his territory is much more common - restaurants. Here he finds his original way out of financial problems.
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pavel.vetesnik27 March 2000I have no idea if this movie is translated and presented abroad. Probably no, because it is not so known. But I must say that it is one of the movies I really love.
Translation of title can be "Waiter - run away!". It is story of man who had financial troubles. He was married for several times and had to pay for several kids. He wanted to earn some extra money by playing in cafe. But one drunk guest (when he see him in jacket) suppose he is waiter and pay his bill to him. So the main hero find his chance - he goes through restaurants and acts that he is waiter and asks people to cash to him...
All the movie is full of sweet humor. It has also nice music. -
daricko19 October 2007This film is very funny and skilfully made. It uses a wide range of film humor styles, from farce including slapstick to satire. It reflects on human (male) behavior in general and on Czechoslovak communist society. At the end of the film, there is a fantastically shot chase scene. I do not agree at all with the qualification "small comedy", because the film is based on a very developed script that contains many sub-plots with people commenting or reacting on the behavior of the main character. The result is a picture that gives you pleasure and enjoyment while watching it and amusement after when recalling different scenes and characters.
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yfish19 December 2003I saw this movie on a trip to Prague several years ago. I missed the title and so have been looking for it ever since. Since there were subtitles in English at that time, it is possible that it may turn up again on DVD. I am delighted to at last know what it is called in English.
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gregory-smith-366-6772130 October 2021Saw this on Amazon Prime. I like to watch subtitled films especially the older ones. You can find some gems out there and this is one of them. It gets off to a slightly puzzling start but the subtle development of the plot is delightful and carries on with surprises along the way and gathers pace with a joyful momentum leading to the climax. Really great. Reading up on the cast is very interesting, they are obviously seasoned performers judging by their filmography which is no doubt why the film is so good. Bit of nudity in the film but it's all justified by the plot and tastefully done in the context of its time.
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fernandojnfalmeida-672-2261464 January 2022For me comedy is the hardest genre, and this one is top, one of the best I've seen, really top notch.
I'm making subtitles in portuguese, and I couldn't contain laughs in two scenes.
It never happened to me before.
A must see! -
Zdeno21 January 2003This movie is written by Zdenek Sverák, the author of Kolya, and beautifully directed by Ladislav Smoljak (Sverák's partner in theater for many years). It is one of the very best Czech movies - it is inspired by slapstick comedies (note the "Keystone waiters" at the end of the movie) and full of great comic situations and brilliant dialogues ("I wish a love story" "To read through or to live through?" /// "Where did you use to sit?" "In front of the class." "In the first row?" "More ahead" "But there's only the teacher's table there" "Well, that's were I used to sit." "Oh... Mr. professor... I didn't recognize you!") I hope you understand the gracefulness of these dialogues from my translation.
I have no doubt - this movie is more amusing, more entertaining and more humorous than Sverak's Kolya.