Vrchní, prchni!

This movie is written by Zdenek Sverák, the author of Kolya, and beautifully directed by Ladislav Smoljak (Sverák's partner in theater for many years). It is one of the very best Czech movies - it is inspired by slapstick comedies (note the "Keystone waiters" at the end of the movie) and full of great comic situations and brilliant dialogues ("I wish a love story" "To read through or to live through?" /// "Where did you use to sit?" "In front of the class." "In the first row?" "More ahead" "But there's only the teacher's table there" "Well, that's were I used to sit." "Oh... Mr. professor... I didn't recognize you!") I hope you understand the gracefulness of these dialogues from my translation.

I have no doubt - this movie is more amusing, more entertaining and more humorous than Sverak's Kolya.

I have no idea if this movie is translated and presented abroad. Probably no, because it is not so known. But I must say that it is one of the movies I really love.

Translation of title can be "Waiter - run away!". It is story of man who had financial troubles. He was married for several times and had to pay for several kids. He wanted to earn some extra money by playing in cafe. But one drunk guest (when he see him in jacket) suppose he is waiter and pay his bill to him. So the main hero find his chance - he goes through restaurants and acts that he is waiter and asks people to cash to him...

All the movie is full of sweet humor. It has also nice music.

Saw this on Amazon Prime. I like to watch subtitled films especially the older ones. You can find some gems out there and this is one of them. It gets off to a slightly puzzling start but the subtle development of the plot is delightful and carries on with surprises along the way and gathers pace with a joyful momentum leading to the climax. Really great. Reading up on the cast is very interesting, they are obviously seasoned performers judging by their filmography which is no doubt why the film is so good. Bit of nudity in the film but it's all justified by the plot and tastefully done in the context of its time.

I saw Vrchni, prchni! When it was making the rounds in art house theaters in the 80's. A sweet comedy about a bookstore owner who owes alimony to several failed marriages tries to moonlight as a violinist to make ends meet. In doing so, he inadvertently finds a new occupation as a small-time but ubiquitous grifter.

Please be aware of spoilers in Pavel Vetesnik's and other reviews. They'll kill the surprises.

This movie is packed with inventive gags, clever writing, and wry comedy, and escalates towards an elaborate, over-the-top climax.

Interestingly, the American theatrical release ended with a title card noting that during his time in prison, he became so good at the violin that he was hired into the Prague Symphony Orchestra after his release. This is missing from the Czech DVD release (from which a friend converted a US-readable copy).

It's been over 20 years since I saw this movie in The Nuart, L.A.'s premiere art house theatre, and it's still one of the funniest, most memorable films I've ever seen. A suave but down-and-out would-be concert violinist on his way to an audition, is mistaken for a waiter and discovers a new, if not terribly legal or honest, source of income. I won't say anything more, I don't want to spoil the fun.

Good writing, creative gags, a fine sense of irony, and a refreshing respect for the audience's intelligence. I wish this movie were available in the USA on DVD or VHS, I'd snatch up a copy without hesitation.