My Sweet Little Village

I’ve never developed a taste for this Czech comedy classic. I find it unlikeable. (11/14/2008)

The culmination of Menzel's "Czech era". After snapshots from the brewery and the cottage colony, Menzel painted a very open portrait of the "great-village", which, like previous films, is adorned by an excellent atmosphere, unforgettable humor and excellent acting performances. Yet I rank My Sweet Little Village behind Cutting It Short and The Snowdrop Festival, perhaps because it was too profaned by television, or perhaps because it does not have the charm of previous opuses for me. Perhaps because I prefer the idyll of the Kersko region and Nymburk... Very subjective. (02/10/2004)

Honestly speaking, I never quite understood the cult around this film in the Czech Republic. Even upon first watching it in the movie theater, I classified it as above average and since then, I haven't found a reason to change that assessment. The film scores points by having a decent cast, which has always been Jiří Menzel's strong suit. Few films can boast such a stellar ensemble of actors. The character of the country doctor played by Rudolf Hrušínský is well-written and well-acted, and this was where Marián Labuda got a significant film role for the first time. However, from a script perspective - which I consider decisive for a film - it's nothing special. I value at least four other films by Jiří Menzel more, and in the context of Czech cinema as a whole, My Sweet Little Village doesn't even belong at the top. A weak four stars and an overall impression of 70%, considering the cast. (01/13/2007)

Another one of the great comedies from back when the weather was controlled by the mighty Central Committee of the Communist Party. Zdeněk Svěrák often annoys me with his political views, but his screenplays are downright brilliant, and My Sweet Little Village is a prime example of that. There is something in it for everyone. You might watch it just for the laughs, but it can also give you something to think about. Most importantly, as it is typical for Zdeněk Svěrák, the film is heartwarming and has a human dimension. Not to mention how many of the film’s one-liners have accompanied me through life. (07/09/2019)

One of my favorite Czech movies. Although I didn't used to watch Czech films much before, this one was an honorable exception and I enjoyed every time I watched it again. This still holds true today. And even though I know most of the jokes, they still manage to entertain me. The way the actors perform, the situations that take place, it's simply unique. (02/08/2015)