The Inheritance

Despite the obtuse criticisms of the time, Věra Chytilová did not create a Troška-esque farce. Nor did she lose her sound judgment or sell out to commerce. However, contemporary and, unfortunately, later viewers were unable to tell the difference between satire and communal comedy. Chytilová was the only one to not go for superficiality, but instead created a timeless and unflattering – and thus all the more chilling – freak show in which she exposed Czech society drunk on a feverish vision of wealth, freedom and power in all its nakedness. Unfortunately, an inherent drawback of every satire is that some people see it as a confirmation of their own values and preen in front of the mirror that has been set in front of them instead of being horrified by what they see. And particularly the image reflected in The Inheritance is utterly, terrifyingly monstrous, though it is also a meaningful statement on more than just its own time and the deterioration of its values. (11/22/2023)

I don't know, I was never entertained or captivated. I just kind of "missed it". I don't need this movie to live, I even breathe better when I don't have to say the title... They just had a certain lack of appeal for each other, and it's certain we'll never get past it. I don't mind, and I'm sure the movie doesn't either. And just to clarify a bit how much I dislike the movie (in case anyone cares), if I had to choose between it and, say, Pokémon, I choose you, Pikachu, you cute electric rat from Japan.... (01/23/2009)

The cult around this film completely passed me by from the beginning. I consider it one of Chytilová's weaker films, with a poorly written script, and the majority of enthusiastic admirers do not perceive it as a morality tale, but rather admire the protagonist's coarseness and "bravado" on a superficial level. I admire Bolka Polívka for completely different roles. This humor was more from the basement, and I actually find the character repulsive. Overall impression: 40%. (06/17/2006)

What can I add about this? Polívka doesn't even have to act much, because this is exactly how he would have turned out if he had never taken up acting, Donutil is unforgettable as always even in a supporting role, and Věra Chytilová conducts the film of her life with amazing fluency and, especially, with a punch. All the jokes, innuendos and even Bohouš's moral lessons, however crude and far-fetched, have, hand in hand with a heavily laden glass of plum brandy, incredible power and have rightly become a firm part of our culture. I doubt I’ll ever watch it again, but I can be sure that its legacy is always guaranteed to lift my spirits. (08/15/2012)

That's weird, but it's the best in the "capitalist-privatization comedy" genre. Chytilová may have lost her mind and taste in the 1990s, but Bolek Polívka in the role of Bohuš has proper style and persuasiveness, as does his redneck group (especially the unique grandfather Kroner). Irene doesn't deny that she's not an actress, but fuck, but that's what The Inheritance is all about. It's definitely not a good film, but with hindsight it has its charm and undeniable truthfulness. Chytilová does know how to do that. It's a testament to a certain time with all the smudges and flaws in beauty, but it is watchable... And those catchphrases are also worth storing in memory, although some dialogues are really... redneck. (02/12/2004)