Well.....I literally came along with my wife to make her company. What came next was a pure astonishment. This movie is sooo beautiful, well edited, proportionate and special. It definitely manages to touch viewer's soul, something Toma is constantly mentioning in the movie that is breaking and you can see it. Toma's death and Yugoslavia's death go heand in hand, so one not only feels sad about him, but also about what once was. Amazing movie. Not sure if non-ex-Yugoslavian people would like it as much, but ex-Yugoslavs will have such an emotial catharsis with this one. If I could I would've given it 11/10.
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milan_kovacevic-0418 September 2021
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A rolercoster of a film, having one going from tears to laughter and back.
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milosmicovic19 September 2021A must see, an look inside of an era with legend...just amazing movie...never felt so much emotions....
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vlado-4221 September 2021Toma's life was full of emotions, rich in any sense, Dragan Bjelogrlic like proven director use Toma's boemic life in right way.
Superb acting, choise of music, well scripted, but too expressive photography.
By my opinion, directed much better than a Bohemian Rhapsody, 10 out 10 for this type od movie (biography music drama).
Toma isn't the best Serbian movie ever, but in top 10 or in worst case scenario - top 20 ever, surely!
Go in theatre and bring tissues. -
gallaaa21 August 2021The life of a legend, the director made the movie perfect.
The story about a sad and wonderful person, singer, writer, a star. Beautifully made, and the actors did a phenomenal job. We'll done I am astonished. -
damjanovicu21 September 2021I never ever rate movies, but I did now. Probably the greatest movie from serbian cinematography. And for Toma Zdravkovic as a man and an artist.. he lived, really lived until the last moment. Enjoy this masterpiece.
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mladenprodan17 September 2021This movie is masterpiece from the first to the last second.
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milicajevtic-3887117 September 2021Beatufull story of beatufull man and singer!
Brilliant. -
draganaapp1 January 2022I was amazed how emotional movie is. I cried so much. Its a beautiful movie and i would recommend it. Great actors and great legends....................
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perica-431515 December 2021This movie was a big commercial hit in Serbia, aggressively pushed (including unprecedented fear-mongering campaign and police backlash against piracy) by a smug and immensely powerful Serbian film mogul, Bjelogrlic, producer of this movie who also signed it as co-director (he was originally a popular actor but his directing powers are quite limited). While Bjelogrlic, Serbian Harvey Weinstein of sorts, also known for his violent drunken outbursts and sucker punch-beatings of fellow filmmakers, is epitome of gate-keeping abuse and corruption of the small Serbian film industry (he has a very specific issue with the cult rebellious movie of independent production, "Serbian film", that was really inspired by modus operandi he and his kind earnestly follow), is not the most pleasant of power-brokers with a self-serving agenda, the movie itself objectively has a lot going for it. It is a somewhat fictionalized story of a tragic life of legendary Toma Zdravkovic, widely considered the greatest and most profound Serbian singer-songwriter of soulful folk-style music, who is much loved through the Balkan region. The acting is earnest and convincing, music recreations are well done (credit to Zeljko Joksimovic, who should also be credited for the noble initiative for this project), and movie elicits powerful emotions. It follows a successful formula for such biopics, and artistically it is not at all original, but as a commercial manipulative melodrama, it works. The movie skips, somewhat incoherently (that part certainly could have been done better in more competent hands), between essentially two timelines, one following Toma's life, and another following his dying days. A parallel to the dying days of Yugoslavia (the dates do coincide) is crammed in for artistic pretension purposes, but luckily, this is not overdone.
The real crime of this movie is its in-authenticity of some key plot elements and biased, if not outright insulting, portrayal of a few legendary artists from the era (conveniently, dead and/or of different national backgrounds). The whole dying timeline of Toma, which is half of the movie, relies on a completely invented story of doctor and his dying wife, who Toma supposedly wrote one of his famous songs for, and who almost steals the show with her tragic scenes. Giving such weight to an invented personality really cheapens the story, one really feels cheated with disrespect that boggles the mind. While the rest of the movie mostly follows Toma's life story with the level of artistic liberties taken on par with other such biopics (including another key and fabricated character, music manager, which does not ruin the movie so much), a couple of portrayals of the famous artists from the era are also pretty outrageous. Mika Antic, famous bohemian poet of profound philosophical depth and elegant perfection, who was slandered in passing, comes off as a flimsy charlatan. The worst offence was perhaps done against Silvana Armenulic, famous Muslim singer who died young in a car crash, who had a hit song written by Toma and also helped him early on (and also her tennis player husband who was skillfully vilified as a shallow snob). A major character in the movie, Silvana is portrayed as calculating, if good-hearted, person, who manipulates love-struck Toma into giving her the famous hit-song, and is only too eager to fit into Belgrade jet-set, betraying her roots. While dramatically this works to an extent, the whole love story, supposedly a key one in the protagonist life, is unfortunately quite fake.
While the movie does capture some of the essence of Toma's emotional and tragic life, one can only regret some artistic decisions that lessen the quality of the movie and make it feel somewhat of a fraud, perhaps in accordance with the key producer of this movie, but failing quite a bit short of a biopic Toma Zdravkovic deserves. Bjelogrlic may get away, pockets full, with this movie just like he gets away with beatings of his colleagues unpunished, but the movie, despite of some strong points and commendable work by much of the crew, does leave a somewhat mixed aftertaste. -
dejan-904-43182822 August 2021This film will give you everything: a lot of emotions, crying, laughing, singing, and most of all memories of the good old days.
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pavle21k11 October 2021This film is a very shallow take of a biopic based on Serbian folk legend Tomislav Zdravkovic. Never does it seem to dig deep into its protagonists' character, but rather positions itself as a soap opera regarding mostly his tumultuous love life. Whatsmore, not even this is accurately delivered, as half of his marriages are omitted from the picture. Tomislav's recurring romantic interest in colleague Silvana Armenulic serves as a centerpiece in his everlasting quest for true love - a seemingly fictitious notion which was, upon release, discredited by their contemporary and close friend Lepa Lukic, as well as Silvana's husband Radmilo Armenulic. Further fiction is handed in the likes of one Doctor Hadzipopovic and his wife, Ljiljana. Hadzipopovic quickly establishes himself as one of the main characters, and his wife's certain demise at the hands of illness are more often than not executed as cheap tearjerkers (among many similar ones) - including a scene which might catch the viewer off guard, in which it is suggested that Tomislav Zdravkovic wrote his song "Za Ljiljanu" ("For Ljliljana) for this indeed made-up character. Furthermore, the story of childhood love Raska is recurringly delivered only through flashbacks and hallucinations, and almost seems like an abandoned concept, an idea never fully developed nor executed accordingly.
Redeeming qualities of the film include some solid performances from the cast, the musical score, photography and costumes. Furthermore, director Dragan Bjelogrlic doesn't even remotely try to hide the commercial appeal he sews into this film - having the character of Zdravkovic perform the currently popular "Bella ciao" song at one of his gigs. Accompanied by (un)inspiring tales of love, loss and betrayal and pretty scenery - this film might appeal to the masses, but falls flat for those seeking a more introspective and complex view into the life of Tomislav Zdravkovic. -
dragokin14 November 2021The viewers are recommended to prepare tissues, because you'll be confronted with unadulterated emotions throughout the whole duration of the movie.
There are not many biopics of this caliber in Serbian cinematography, especially since it's about Toma Zdravkovic, a mythical figure in the folk music of the former Yugoslavia. It was an ambitious venture, not only because of the soundtrack, masterfully prepared by Zeljko Joksimovic.
Those who are old enough to have witnessed Toma Zdravkovic singing live say it was something extraordinary. What sets him apart from the others who succumbed to the consequences of the Bohemian lifestyle is relentless honesty about it. And this is exactly what we see in the movie.
Nevertheless, at a certain point I started questioning myself why I should care about a person pursuing self-destruction with such a determination, despite all the good-heartedness and talent. -
tasa-tamburica23 October 2021The film is a total failure about the life of Tomo Zdravkovic. Bjelogrlic and other screenwriters made a couple of scenes from his life. He married 4 times, had a son and a daughter, and that is not seen in the film.
Bjelogrlic inserted scenes reminiscent of Kusturica (white roses that appear frequently in the film, and Ruska who appears to him).
The song "For Ljiljana" is not dedicated to the doctor's wife. The real Ljiljana does not appear in the film. And many more mistakes that do not represent Tom's life.
Scenes of sex in the film were not needed, but as in every Serbian film, they must be. -
sasa-vujanovic-53-708110 October 2021You have to be from one of the former Yugoslav republics to really get the best of this movie 🎥 but if you are I can only say prepare a set of tissues and open your heart to get to know Toma.
And don't get misled by the fact he was a folk singer - I myself was never into a folk scene and virtually knew nothing about his life or music but I'm so glad this movie has been made to document his life and make people like me more aware of his great talent. Hats off to movie makers! -
belleamie_posetioci21 August 2021Movie about life of greatest Yugoslav folk singer .Full of emotion and with good acting,except the part about his life in his hometown ,Leskovac where Belgrade actors simple can not describe autentic language of south Serbia,and thats only mistake of film director.
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kristina_grbic12322 September 2021This is definitely one of the best movies in the last few years in serbian cinematography. Tears and laughter, beautiful story, the songs take on a special dimension. This is the only movie I've seen twice in a row, and both times I cried like rain...All in all, Toma deserves to be on the world's top list of the most beautiful films in history. If someone deserves an Oscar, that's definitely Toma!
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brankomarkovic-9041125 September 2021Can't describe the level of emotions i had while watching this... this movie is pure gold.
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Kostale11 October 2021At a time when Elvis Presley, was breaking the hearts of American girls with his songs, the Balkans had their Toma, whose heart was breaking by Yugoslav girls.
While Elvis would dance with his audience, stealing their smiles, Toma would bring his audience to tears by singing his melancholic notes, inspired by his life. As much as I am sure that most people in the world think that Elvis lives, through his songs, I am not so sure that so many people know the reason why the Balkans believe that Toma has never and will never die.
Toma is inwrought into every being from the Balkans so much that no wedding, celebration or even an ordinary student party cannot be imagined without the magnificent songs of this bohemian king. It is not so difficult to understand that if you decide to visit the "kingdom" in which Toma was one of the longest and most beloved "kings". It is located in the capital of Serbia, in its bohemian quarter called Skadarlija.
Every kingdom has its own fairy tale, so we (people from the Balkans) leave you in a fairy tale, wrote in an explosion of emotions, in which all the magic that gave this man the "crown" he wore was created and that gave us the legend with which we still cry, laugh, marry, celebrate, and mourn.
This time we gave you our best movie. A movie about our immortal Toma.
Enjoy and see you in "kafana"! (I am sure you will understand what it is. Let the feelings show you) :) -
milosandjelkovic-4103021 September 2021Toma is amazing. And emotion and music and compassion. Incredibly.
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Rade00716 October 2021This is one of the greatest movies in history of Balcan. Bjela (Dragan Bjelogrlic) proved himself again, by following the world level concept of movie making. From the first to the last second ,this movie is a real magic. Toma is still the greatest music star in Ex. Yu and he deserved a movie about his life and career. Bjela gave it to him ,but to us as well. Thank you for this movie Bjela!
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omaha-1628614 November 2021Bottom line is that the movie is not so great, but not that terrible also. Just a OK-ish movie worth watching in the theater. Media created a lot of spam like it is the best movie ever, but it is really far from that. Silvana and Drnda were great in their roles, but the rest of the actors...Really mediocre with exception of Doctor role - he was terrible, just pretending to act.
In overall Ok movie, but nothing more. -
drejn16 October 2021When some people overpraise a movie, they take it to the extreme. Pure mediocrity.
Someone here compared Toma to Bohemian Rhapsody, that's a good comparison, because both movies are sugar-coated and terrible depictions of great singers. Artistic licence my a**.
Tamara Dracicevic and Olivera Bacic are fantastic as Silvana and Lepa, so not everything is terrible, though.
If Toma Zdravkovic was alive today, he would have publicly denounced the director Bjelogrlic and this movie. -
bacich-5651024 September 2021Whole movie is great! Only problem is that movie can't show all stories about Toma. Thanks to Dragan Bjelogrlic, we have a world class movie about special man, Toma Zdravkovic. Milan Maric show us great performance (not first time for him). Really, magnificant!