Empties (2007) User Reviews (11)

It's never too late for a career change

[Red-125 · 8/10 · 11 May 2008]

Vratné lahve (2007), directed by Jan Sverák, written by Zdenek Sverák, was shown in the U.S. with the title "Empties." The title derives from a second "career," undertaken late in life, by the protagonist Josef (Zdenek Sverák). Josef resigns from his position as a teacher and takes a job accepting returned glass bottles at a supermarket. Complications ensue. Josef isn't exactly an ideal worker, but he does establish a rapport with his fellow employees and with some of the customers.

Josef is married, but he and his wife are tired of each other. (Incidentally, his wife is played by Daniela Kolárová, who looks like the Czech Hellen Mirren.) Josef and his wife are both contemplating adultery, although that's not as easy for them as it might sound.

"Empties" is a comedy, but a comedy with a sad and bitter undertone. Everyone is looking for love, romance, and understanding, but mostly they're looking in the wrong places. Still, the film is worth seeing, especially because of the wonderful acting by Zdenek Sverák, who was outstanding in the film "Kolya" ten years ago, and is equally outstanding in "Empties."

Incidentally, the identical names of the actor/writer and director are not coincidental--they are father and son. That must lead to some interesting moments on the set.

We saw this film at the Rochester High Falls International Film Festival. It will work pretty well on a small screen. It's definitely worth seeking out and seeing.

Smart Touching and Funny...Very Funny, If You Are Czech

[jiri-severa · 8/10 · 5 November 2009]

This is an exhilarating comedy about getting old and wanting to relive a great romance. The setting is simple, and a lot of the prancing and romancing comes tongue in cheek in the fine tradition of Czech bitter-sweet, self-deprecating humour. In this, Zdenek Sverak is the great master, he is the perfect fit to render the cynically aloof, yet secretly wistful, character of the Empties. Of course, since he wrote the screen play he shows he knows himself well and is quite comfortable with what he knows. So, it's a feel-good movie and well worth seeing for everyone.

Naturally, there are scenes and comments in the movie which may escape viewers who rely on subtitles. I see for example on the DVD blurb that Tkaloun (Sverak's character) refuses to accept that old age is empty...among other things... of 'value to society'. But the plot of the movie says exactly the opposite. Tkaloun does not not give a rat's ass about what he does for a living or (poetically), where he goes. He wants "little love", and for that he would go "to the ends of the world, head uncovered and feet bare, in the dead of winter". The movie opens with Tkaloun reading these verses of Vrchlicky, a great Czech poet of 19th century, to a class of kids who don't care. Tkaloun then quits teaching, after being scolded by the school-mistress for assaulting the head honcho of his eight-graders who insulted his beloved poet. He gets a job as a bicycle courier - fantasizing about getting into shape. When he breaks his leg, he finds another job, handling the returns of empty bottles in a super-market. His wife - also a teacher, scoffs at such an undignified job for an educated man, and forswears she'd never set foot in the place where he works to see him humiliated. But, Tkaloun plugs in the place and likes his newly found freedom doing silly chores because he can fantasize about having sex with younger women during working hours. That's 'the value to society' that Zdenek Sverak has in mind for Tkaloun.

Great. Hilarious. Kind of saccharine ending but I take it.

A simple yet mesmerizing Czech film about joys of life.

[FilmCriticLalitRao · 6/10 · 2 December 2009]

Can we say that maverick Czech director Jan Sverak has lost his magical art of making wonderful films if his latest offering "Vratné Lahve" were to be considered as an ordinary film ? The answer would be in negative as he has made one of those mischievous films whose message might not instantly dawn on ordinary audiences but allows to appreciate character development which is perfectly in sync with general mood and rhythm of the film."Empties" presents an honest assessment of some very good views of Prague,a city which has changed enormously after the fall of communism and arrival of free market economy.This is not the sole reason for watching this film.One must watch "Empties" in order to understand that a man is young as long as his desire for beautiful young women is intact.In the past,this oft repeated message has been conveyed in numerous films but what makes Jan Sverak film appear as a face in the crowd is that fact that he has chosen to direct his father Zdenek Sverak to direct a film about joys and sorrow of old age of those Czech people who are currently feeling that repressed sexuality of communist times is getting rejuvenated in free market world of capitalism.

Elderly gentleman's view of Czech modernity

[topitimo-829-270459 · 7/10 · 27 November 2019]

Czech filmmaker Jan Sverak takes long breaks in between projects, and this is only his second feature film after the Academy Award winning "Kolya" (1996). Again, the film is a collaboration between Jan Sverak the director, and his father Zdenek Sverak, who returns to deliver another memorable leading role. The older Sverak also wrote the film, which becomes more and more evident as the movie goes on.

Zdenek plays a teacher of literature, who is let go of his job, because he can't connect with the modern generation. Though a man in his 60's, he can't bring himself to stay put at home, where the only thing waiting for him is a dull marriage with his wife, who is a German language home-school tutor. So after trying a few things, Zdenek ends up getting a job at a market, where people return the empty bottles to his counter. This is where the English title "Empties" stems from in a literal sense, though it also references the individuals depicted in the film. The old man dreams of younger women and tries to fight against the bottle returning machine, that threatens to replace him at his job.

What the Sveraks have made for us is a feel good movie, one where things improve slowly but surely. It is not plot-heavy at all, nor does it feel dramatic or strenuous as a viewing experience. It is a film, that works well for older demographics. It is lively, but has nothing too shocking in it. The main character's situation may be melancholy at times, but it's not too brooding. The film goes for both funny, and contemplative moments, and in the end, it's a fairly working mix.

For myself, a younger viewer, it's a little too obvious that the film is written by an older man, who worries about what the younger generation has become. The details of the societal depiction are oft-used almost to a point of being cliches. The opening of the film, where Zdenek's character tries to explain a poem to a class of uncaring millenials sets the scene in a black and white manner, and later, the criticism of technology too is simplified and lacks weight. The film is also very loose and light-weight, as films for older people often are. This means that the political commentary wears off and all you are left with is film, that passes the time nicely, even though it's more amusing than actually funny.

What I liked best about "Vratne lahve" was the market scenes, since they carried this Kaurismäki vibe, that worked well for the narrative. Also the acting is great. The characters played by Zdenek Sverak are always a required taste, but after a while, you find some endearing elements about this protagonist too. The supporting cast is also very good. What I liked least about this film was a quick "Kolya" related fourth wall break, since it took me out of the film emotionally. (Then again, if you compare the societal depictions of the two films, you amaze how much the Czech society has changed in the last few decades, which justifies the feeling of modernity being a burden). Also the last scenes did not really conclude the narrative in a functioning way.

For a little love, I would go to the edge of the world ...

[P-frish · 10/10 · 14 February 2008]

We saw this film when it was first released in Prague, bought the screenplay in Czech, and now own the DVD. This masterpiece from the father-son Sverák team is a gentle low-key story that has appealed here to all ages. It was the most popular movie of the year in terms of theater attendance. The theme is "the search for love" in its very broadest sense, with the sub-theme of the impact of freedom and capitalism on lives in the Czech Republic.

The main character, sixty-five year old Josef Tkaloun, introduces the theme in his classroom of Czech teenagers. In his lesson about a beloved Czech writer, Jaroslav Vrchlicky, he quotes: "For a little love, I would go to the edge of the world bareheaded and barefooted." We follow this theme in his own life and marriage, his daughter's and little grandson's lives, as well as in those of various other characters, young, middle-aged, and elderly, who surround him.

Neither Zdenek Sverák as a writer nor the character of Tkaloun he has written for himself is a judgmental man. Tkaloun's most characteristic response perhaps, is a quiet, "Jo takhle" or "Ah, so that's how it is." Sverák sketches a small world and, within it, gives us a very poignant human story permeated with a feeling of acceptance of all of us in our various weaknesses.

The sub-theme of changes in Czech life since the 1989 revolution may be harder for non-Czech viewers to catch entirely. The local library, for example, has been replaced by a new teeth-whitening business called "Happy Smile." In this one little touch, Czechs will recognize the loss of their public library, the introduction of a strange, expensive, and hitherto unnecessary business, and the current vogue for abandoning Czech for the snobbier, more chic English name.

We also see how the very young, without memories of the "old" days, consider all this as the normal state of affairs, though they realize that their parents or grandparents do not. In a small closely-knit society such as the Czech Republic, relations between generations, whether within the family, at work or school, or in public, have been markedly different in many ways than what one sees in a country such as the U.S. This is now changing with the influx of dubbed television programs, translated popular magazine articles, and advertising. Many youngsters now prefer to go to the mall rather than on the traditional family trip to the countryside, for example. Although most still automatically get up to give their tram or metro seat to an older person, some now ignore this previous mark of well-brought-up behavior.

We should mention, too, that we find the humor delightful. Even on a third viewing we laughed. These performances stand up in the long run.

This movie will definitely be a classic. Thank you Zdenek and Jan Sverák!!!

The Return Of The Kings

[ruuk · 9/10 · 8 March 2007]

Vratné Lahve (written by Zdenek Sverák, directed by Jan Sverák) Father and son. Ten years ago they made film together, it became tremendously successful and won an Oscar. That was Kolya. After that they tried to tell the story of Czech RAF fighters during WW2, which was not so successful, mainly because of the historical, somewhat pathetic theme. Now they are back. After years and years of rewriting the script, son finally accepted his father's work and made it into film, which may be very well theirs best.

Main character Tkaloun (played by Zdenek Sverák) is an nervous, over-aged basic school teacher living with his slowly resigning wife and struggling to find a new way of life for himself after he leaves his teaching job. When he accepts new work in a supermarket as clerk responsible for storing empty glass bottles, he finds (and shows us) that it is never too late for being kind to other people and for life itself.

This film is very funny and moving - in a best way possible. It is also almost ultimately believable, as every scene and every bit of the dialog is taken from life. Audience in the theater started laughing shortly after the beginning and continued throughout the film till the final credits. Everyone was leaving the screening with a great smile on the face, filled with pleasant thoughts.

I don't know when it will hit the theaters abroad or in rest of Europe. But when it does, be sure not to miss it.

9/10

Following a Flop and a Long Wait, Another Zdenek Sverak Masterpiece

[faterson · 10/10 · 10 January 2008]

I hope comments formatted as bullets are OK; no real spoilers contained.

* a masterpiece and return to true Zdenek Sverak form (after the flop of _Dark-Blue World_, a woeful departure from Zdenek Sverak's typical comedy genre)

* airborne views of the Czech countryside, with which Zdenek Sverak is in love -- this time, *closely integrated* in the movie's climax, as opposed to similar shots in Zdenek Sverak's earlier movies -- though breath-taking there as well, they used to serve as mere illustrations; now, they're part of the movie's message

* the number OK-5060 on the balloon is highly symbolic, meaning to say you can still have a great life while in your 50s or 60s -- which was Sverak's age at the time the movie was written and produced -- in fact, Zdenek Sverak is over 70 years old today (born in 1936), and looks astonishingly well for his age; metaphorical swelling and inflating of the balloon after falling to the ground -- "dying", as if, but not yet, not quite; "there's still something left" in our lives

* movie title, "returnable bottles", in line with the movie's title song: "I'd like to have another one, thank you" -- meaning another *life*, to understand or enjoy even *more* of it than the first time around; so, human lives are like returnable bottles...

* Zdenek Svěrák's impeccable performance; he can be thoroughly serious whenever the need arises; there are some extremely poignant and thoroughly serious moments in the movie, particularly in depicting the (grand)parent-child relationship; Sverak's inimitable enunciation, especially untranslatable: he can say an ordinary Czech sentence but deliver it in a way that makes it sound funny or witty, *without* being theatrical

* *two* endings are contained in the movie: one US happy ending (an American movie would have ended right there); but, after the credits for the cast roll by, *another* ending is attached, a thoroughly European tongue-in-cheek one; in it also lies the movie's wisdom -- life is always about compromises between what one dreams about (all those half-naked ladies in the train's compartment) and what truly is available in real life, and for what one must be genuinely thankful, because it is such a blessing, even though oftentimes humdrum on ordinary days -- in _Vratne lahve_, this is the 40-year marriage between Pepa and his wife

* a fascinating array of supporting characters, from the hilarious "talkative" ex-Major to the awkward youth at the paper press to the lustful mathematics teacher and the thoughtful, tender-hearted IT teacher, as well as the irresponsible, shallow doctor; or the old lady who can't afford her groceries

* you can recognize the greatest masterpieces in art by their being capable of mixing thoroughly disparate elements: such as being funny and moving / serious at the *same* time; _Vratne lahve_ manages this trick *throughout*; even though the basic plot is predictable enough (the man is about to lose his job due to automation), its implementation is glorious, and when Pepa gets the note saying, "Mr. Tkaloun, what are today's discounts?", this is a truly affecting moment; a similar one involves Pepa, in despair, placing his head and hands on the wall of his small booth, then realizing (thanks to the stains) how often his colleague must have been desperate before him, in just the same manner -- needless to say, the despair was sexually motivated

* fantastic direction by Jan Sverak, with minuscule attention paid even to the smallest detail; whenever pretty girls are meant to be shown in _Vratne lahve_, they are not merely pretty, but *gloriously* beautiful; watch the 2 girls re-stocking the supermarket shelves, or even the very young girl sitting behind the cheeky schoolboy in the movie's opening scenes -- all these are fantastically beautiful girls, even though they appear in the movie for barely a few seconds, or dozens of seconds; yet Jan Sverak made sure every little thing in the background of the main action shown was just 100% perfect

* classic, famous Zdenek Sverak wit apparent throughout _Vratne lahve_; just as Woody Allen has his style of humour that is unmistakably his, and Billy Wilder has his own, so does Zdenek Sverak. The quality of some of the jokes in _Vratne lahve_ is on a par with now legendary jokes from movies like _Kolja_ or _The Elementary School_ or even as far back as _My Sweet Little Village_, _Waiter, Run_, and _Hand Me the Pen, Mark_. Ladislav Smoljak, Zdenek Sverak's close friend and collaborator since decades, has nothing more than 2 short cameos in _Vratne lahve_, but they certainly are memorable: funny and wise at the same time, capturing the spirit of our hurried era: "He's just some sort of a messenger, but he sure looks like the participant in a race!"

* wonderful camera-work: the movie manages to be both rural and urban at the same time; glorious views of Prague *and* the surrounding countryside, the rolling Czech land in its amazing verdure, again establishing the connection to the earlier Zdenek Sverak classics

* fantastic title song, sung by Jaroslav Uhlir, as the title tune from _Waiter, Run_, made almost 30 years ago in the 1980s! One may only wish that both _Vratne lahve_ the movie *and* its title song become classics of the same calibre as both _Waiter, Run_ and its title song; _Vratne lahve_ thoroughly deserves the status of a classic, even though it is only about 9 months old at the time when I'm writing this sentence!

* the running theme through pretty much all of Zdenek Sverak's movies is that of sexual obsession, and it takes center stage here in _Vratne lahve_, too; again, most closely reminding the viewer of the early 1980s masterpiece, _Waiter, Run_, thanks to the numerous "fantasy sequences", so similar to those so frequently experienced by the bookstore manager in _Waiter, Run_.

Empties

[cultfilmfan · 10/10 · 19 November 2009]

Empties is a film from the Czech Republic in Czech and German and with English subtitles. The film focuses on a man in his 60's who has just left his teaching job and decides he still wants to work, which leads him eventually to a job as a bottle sorter at a grocery store. At this job because he is very sociable he makes friends with a lot of the customers he has to deal with along with the staff there. The film focuses also on his rocky marriage, his troubled daughter and the many people who come in and out of his life from being involved as a bottle sorter. I really appreciated Empties because of the way it examined and tackled some rather big issues such as a marriage falling apart, working to be useful and as a means of socializing and many of the things that go along with aging. All of these are important parts of this story and at times they are dealt with quite seriously, but the film has tons of wonderful humour in it from it's top notch performances, to the writing and just having the characters be themselves. They are funny because they are so realistically human and everything they say, think and do is not unordinary, or to the extreme and I think many people whether they are a young adult, or perhaps middle aged, or older will find things that they can relate to with this film and because of it's warm hearted humour I think the audience will appreciate such things being analyzed much more and will have a good laugh while watching it. This is not a heavy, or overly sad film. It deals with mature issues, but also has a very humorous and sweet side to it, that you can not help feeling sad for too long, but instead feel moments of tenderness and joy watching the characters and seeing them make their life choices, whether they end up being good, or bad, or perhaps just realistic choices. The film because of it's spirited performances and writing, is very entertaining to watch and out of all the films I have seen so far this year, I think this one will be the most crowd pleasing. The audience I watched this film with, laughed often and really seemed to be enjoying themselves. The humour has a very unique European feel to it and it feels fresh as opposed to all the American comedies that have been out as of late. There are moments when Empties made me think, made me laugh and just kept me in pure enjoyment throughout the film's running time. I think that wherever you are in life, or whatever has happened to you, I think everyone will find something in Empties' story and characters and will have a good laugh and talk about it afterwards. A terrifically feel good and thinking person's movie that has a lot to offer it's teenage and adult audience, so if this is playing anywhere near you, or will be on video soon, I recommend you see Empties. An overall great film.

New but i've seen this many times already

[pchudera · 5/10 · 23 July 2007]

In my opinion, this title is good, but not excellent. I've seen many Czech films, and this is just another one with just a little change in motive. It doesn't make you think when you step up from cinema, it just makes you realize, what is happening in our world. The script is fine, but not innovative. There is no mystery and therefor no excitement at the end of the movie. Open ending that doesn't make you think is not a good ending in my opinion. Not an excellent directing is shown in this title, it just follows the script and doesn't adds artistic feeling into it. In motive i find very similar "Stesti", "Samotari". This movies are also about life and when you see them you just realize that this something similar and not new. Even though my score is low, this movie is not a waste of time. Especially if you are not a Slovakian or Czech. Go and see this movie for your self. If you are not very demanding spectator you will probably like this movie very much.

absolutely gorgeous, witty, eloquent

[diana-urickova · 10/10 · 28 July 2007]

Simply, a waaayyy better than Kolja. Personally, I guess almost anything said about a movie before you see it is actually a spoiler, as it influences the expectations and the response isn't that pure anymore. For those who share this attitude with me, just read no more than the next line. Believe me, go see this great cinematic achievement. The Sverak duo is certainly a kind of quality guarantee. However, Vratne lahve gives you much more than the necessary expectations fulfillment. Witty dialogues, tremendously believable acting, plausible script and humane setting, all of these form a story full of emotions and simple truths most of us value so much even without realizing it. This movie makes you realize all those lovely aspects life and its various phases bring about. ...and one more thing, (this might be connected with understanding the local mentality) watching this movie you will most probably find yourself laughing really whole-heartedly, this movie is truly much funnier than any high-rated comedy, even though the topic and story covered aren't actually that funny in real life at all. Wonderful experience, definitely deserves worldwide recognition, a second Oscar for Sverak wouldn't be too much to expect.

A nice movie for middle-age couples

[roland-scialom · 9/10 · 4 October 2012]

The ideal viewers for this film are middle-aged couples. There is a good chance these couples will identify with the couple's story.

Joseph Tkaloun is a literature professor who teaches in a secondary school. He likes literature but has no more patience to deal with annoying and insolent teenagers. He is a dreamer and would like to work on activities that would connect him with real people. He retires from his teaching activities and tries several small jobs as a delivery boy, grocery clerk, etc.

Tkalounová, married for over 30 years with Joseph, teaches languages​​, is not a dreamer like her husband, and seems quite resigned to her little life between her household which includes also her daughter, recently separated from her respective husband, and her grandson.

The love life of Joseph and Tkalounová is stranded. Joseph has some recurring erotic fantasies which increase his interest in females, but he doesn't succeed to transmit his enthusiasm to his wife.

The daily routine of the couple goes on, punctuated by discussions at home, small jealousies from both sides, an unsuccessful attempt of infidelity from the part of Joseph, the emergence of an admirer of Tkalounová, a boyfriend that Joseph arrange for the daughter of the couple, etc.

Finally a happy end closes this trivial and "tanned" love story of this middle-age couple with surprise balloon ride.

A very nice movie that is really worth to be seen by viewers of middle age. I insist on the adjective middle-age because I think that young people will not understand the essential.