Edi

Well the moment you start watching a Polish movie you know that you will see some movie that is based on reality and not the usual Hollywood-crap that is coming to us. And how many little errors there might be in here, I'd rather wanna see this instead of X-Men number 1234. The story is about two men who are seeking for old used metal which they hope to sell and as the mob seems to be involved everywhere in East Europa, it's no different here as well as this gang is ruled by the two so-called brothers who have no mercy. And certainly not when they discover that their sister is pregnant of Edi. The sad thing is that Edi never has touched the girl but she is so in fear that she just names an easy victim and what then happens is the deepest humilation a man can have. Call it cinema verite or whatever, Edi is a beautiful piece of Polish cinema. Not the best in his sort but definitely worth watching!

I was a little bit far from praising this movie on the base of people's opinion. Had to go to the cinema and watch it by myself and despite of sitting next to a very special woman i was able to take a lot from this production:). here it is what i mean...

It ain't any of those Hollywood crap, nor u won't find here astonishing fx/play/even plot & surrounding. it's just the longer you watch it, the more you feel the sense of this movie. what is it? maybe parabolised reality ? or maybe it's not parabolised at all - simple, pathetic, dull & dirty, but still worth of cope with it. there's popular way of thinking "you are tough if you can fight the fate", actually the main character shows, the real heroism is to dare & want to live accepting the pain, misfortune & life just as it is.

There is no need to tell you what's the movie about-if you like independent productions, don't afraid to feel, think intensively just go to the cinema, you won't regret.

This is an amazing movie on many fronts and it falls into that category that you don't mind seeing over again. Although the premise of watching the a movie about junk collectors is not appealing, this is really a feel good movie with humour that will have you thinking all the way home. Made apparently on a skimpy budget, with no stars and some amateur cast it really shows what brilliant movie making can be when a good story, script, direction and photography as well as crew talent are all combined.

Some people see parallels between Edi and American Beauty and there seem to be a few but IMO there is more depth to Edi. In Edi the clearly pictured, focused and simply told with bitter-sweet humour (although the latter may be missed on non Polish audiences) take on life and our role in the world overall, is much neater and with more depth than that of the characters in American Beauty. All of this is done avoiding Hollywood sentimentalism.

I really cannot find any weak points in the movie. I do hope that this is a sign of the blossoming of a new breed of Polish film makers. Go and see it.

Edi (2002), directed and co-scripted by Piotr Trzaskalski, was shown at the Rochester Polish Film Festival at the Little Theatre.

Henryk Golebiewski plays Edi (pronounced "Eddie"), an intelligent and gentle intellectual, who has ended up literally and figuratively on the scrapheap--he collects scrap metal on the street. His business partner, Jureczek (played by Jacek Braciak) is neither intelligent nor particularly gentle. (The relationship between the two men reminded me of the relationship between George and Lennie in "Of Mice and Men.") The two live at the fringe of society, barely making enough money to keep a roof over their heads and liquor in their systems.

Two brutal gangsters--known only as "The Brothers," hire Edi to tutor their sister so that she will pass her high school examinations. The sister, Princess, played by Aleksandra Kisio, is attractive in a nubile adolescent way, and Edi falls in love with her. This love leads Edi to make two immense sacrifices for Princess--sacrifices that will change his life forever.

The film also stars the luminous Polish actor Malgorzata Flegel-Siedler as Krysia, a woman whose relationship with Edi provides us with his "back-story."

This is a sad film about bad things happening to a kind and gentle man. It's not cheerful or cheering, but it's serious, well made, and worth seeing.

It's the best movie in 2002 for me. Today's life of almost everybody is in horrible rush, crying for more money, more fancy dresses, exotic food, faster cars etc. We forgot the meaning of true friendship, simple love, everyday devotion. The guy called Edi is very poor one, jobless, homeless, alcoholic. But he works on his own - he picks scrap everyday to feed him and handicapped friend, living with him in ruins. He smiles everydays, helps to smile other guys, tries to make the world around more happy. Edi falls in love very badly and he is faithful to the girl in really heroic way. That simple guy is great man. After the movie I was ashamed I ever complain on my own life.

Call to your girl and go to see this movie, it's worth your time!