Vrchní, prchni!

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).

This is one of pearls of Czech filmography. The intro-song Severni vitr (The northern wind) links the fate of the main character with the goldseekers of Northern America, though his territory is much more common - restaurants. Here he finds his original way out of financial problems.

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.

I saw this movie on a trip to Prague several years ago. I missed the title and so have been looking for it ever since. Since there were subtitles in English at that time, it is possible that it may turn up again on DVD. I am delighted to at last know what it is called in English.

First I would like to say it's a comedy for sure. But I would also add the genre crime to the movie.

In this movie there's a guy playing a fake waiter. That's not his only crime though. But the other crime is more in a moral way. But i'm not gonna spoil for you what that is. But basically these two "crimes" play a mayor part in this movie.

If you have a chance to see it be sure to grasp that chance. It's not a superb comedy, but a nice little comedy. There are enough jokes to keep you amused during the movie.

Greetings from the Netherlands.