Movie reviews

GENIUSZE (ADVENTURES OF A MATHEMATICIAN)

Watchable. Only Poles can turn the heated issue of the creation of the atomic bomb into a lukewarm tale. The only good point is the realistic recreation of the time and place. But the movie drags, contains lots of pointless scenes and lines. At the same time, it fails to inform properly on the historical events and figures. You spend 2 hours wondering where it's headed. The lead actor is Philippe Tłokiński, the same as in "Kurier" ("The Resistance Fighter") and the movie is on the same level: poorly acted, emotionally flat, shot in dull colours, with no music apart from a party and in a car. Inept editing means that not only is it protracted but e.g. music at a party gets cut off abruptly mid-tune to transport you to a quiet empty room. 1 hour 16 minutes in the movie the use of atomic fuel for space rockets is mentioned which reawakens your interest but the topic is dropped immediately only to reappear in a written note at the end. 

AMATORZY

Watchable. Theatre is a poor subject for the cinema. So is Down syndrome - such people are ugly and there's no denying that. But the movie's technically professional so easy to follow. Timely editing by Agnieszka Glińska and Barbara Fronc provide good dynamics, all able-bodied and -minded actors give fine performances, Wojciech Solarz, Anna Dymna and Mariusz Bonaszewski stand out, cinematography by Michał Popiel-Machnicki makes the backgrounds visually attractive. The film depicts clashes between both groups of people and as if accidentally poses some questions. Is sexism inherent to intellectually-challenged people? How much do we tolerate just because someone is disabled?

Both seen online, cinematic reception might differ.