Other than what we experience firsthand, just about everything else in life we see the ending before we know how it got to that point. While starting a movie with its end is not a novel idea, it still adds something unique to a story. In some cases, like with Trzy Minuty. 21:37, it really adds to the suspense. Trzy Minuty. 21:37 isn't entirely shown in reverse, as it skips around a little with the sequence of the story. While this may seem a little annoying for some viewers, this film is a powerful drama that attempts to make us think deeper about life in general so it is worth it.
There aren't too many characters in this story and they are all a degree or two away from each other. The first person we get to know is the guy who snapped and has had enough of the injustices of the world. Although we only learn a little about him throughout the entire film, he is key to all that happens. There are several sub-stories to the film, which are connected. And there is no better subject for a Polish film than the subject of movies itself, so this movie is also about a film director.
The film director (Krzysztof Stroinski) is broken hearted as his latest wife just walked out on him. His typical way of dealing with this situation is by drinking, making it impossible for him to function. His producer wants him to make another movie, that will star an English actress, so he hires him an English teacher (Agnieszka Grochowska). The director becomes enamored with her despite their age and them just meeting. The director's daughter, who is pregnant, is about the same age as the English teacher. When the director goes to meet the father of his grandchild (Boguslaw Linda), the story takes another surprising twist.
I consider Trzy Minuty. 21:37 to be one of the best Polish movies of 2010, and very possibly the best Polish drama of that year. Trzy Minuty. 21:37 is directed by Maciej Slesicki, whose other well known films include Tato (1995) and Sara (1997). If anything, Trzy Minuty. 21:37 might make you think about life, appreciate what you have and see the small events in life are all connected. While life isn't always fair, there are also some moments when we see a greater power at work that brings a little justice to the world.
