Kriminalas ekselences fonds

I'm writing this review just after watching the movie. I chose this one from many others on the festival because of positive rating and reviews here on IMDB. I can agree that the movie is nicely made when it comes to camera work and visual aspects. We have retro scenery and quite realistic play. However, I just couldn't get any sense and almost any humour from it. A few moments that put a smile on my face were just nothing special and the last scene as per my taste - was just stupid in a non-funny way. Some people laughed, some other like me were wondering why others are laughing - so I think that was just about a cultural difference. There might be some cultural connotations I'm not aware of, so I just don't get what's funny. (normally in in one or two scenes... but in a whole movie?) I like comedies and I've watched many different, that one just didn't speak to me at all. I'm a big fan of cinema too and I watched hundreds of movies from many countries. For me that screenplay was absolutely nothing interesting - just like the screenplay that main character was trying to "sell". I should admit here that I watched the movie with English subtitles so there might have been a bad translation, but even then - a plot was just nothing exciting: two frustrated losers trying to do stupid things with no success in a crime excellencing nor making me laugh - that's how I would describe it. There were many such criminal comedies, mostly easy to whatch, stupid and funny - hence entertaining. As for me this one would almost fall into such category, but unfortunately it wasn't easy to whatch nor funny...

All movie was based just on swearing. Everything else is just "amateur trying to make good movie" which is not unfortunately.

The Latvian heist movie made everyone laugh. Being honest, the cause of laughter possibly was the lively and uncensored language. On other hand, the jokes weren't weak as well. While watching the movie, even the introvert let the breath run through his nose a bit faster (I know since one of them was sitting next to me). Even though my humor is probably destroyed by internet, some of the jokes tickled even my funny bone. The story goes quite slowly but it didn't hurt the intrigue. TV screenwriter Imants has a great idea to try out everything he writes for a new TV show about thieves ('scuse me, tricksters). Meanwhile, his friend Harry wants to make something out of himself and earn a buck. What begins with stealing Pupsiks (a dog, which eventually makes its owner crazy) ends with Imants idea of becoming a criminal authority. I have to say the location scout did his job very well. Some of the places were perfect for recreating authentic feeling of the 90's. Cinematography was beautiful and the color scheme was nice to the eye. The actors were great for their roles and I have a feeling that we'll finally have our own movie actors (Latvia has a lot of theater actors but none of them usually fit the movie scene well). The only thing that was a bit out of place was the dubbing. Sometimes the voices weren't what you'd expect from a running person or while being in the interior of a speeding car. And the other thing - the rule of thirds exists for a reason. Even the sociopath laughed. That is a good sign that the movie was great.

It might be better to see the movie for yourself before reading any reviews or hearing spoilers. 9 stars might be a bit too generous, but these are unique circumstances considering its niche in movie industry. When a new Latvian movie pops up - most people I know - set their expectations really low. This movie is something different entirely (might not be for everyone). It seems polished and thought out - from smaller details like camera work and props to major things like acting, story, flow of dialogues. The movie gives an impression that there were actual professionals working on it. Acting felt very believable for the most part (some minor line deliveries here and there might have gained something from additional takes and direction or maybe some assurance - but that was mostly for one or two secondary or even tertiary characters). Usually with Latvian cinema - a lot of actors act like they are on a theater stage which rarely works in modern movies and feels overacted. Not this movie. The language is coarse, but it depicts quite realistically how some people talk and react to certain things. Every character seems likeable and like someone you can actually relate to. The script is surreal at times and funny throughout - dialogues are organic, the story itself - crazy, but believable, the way characters are introduced and developed - creative and quirky. And the story is quite unpredictable and full of surprises and twists. The whole nostalgia-exploitation works great - the props, the people, the setting. What is even more impressive - this movie was made through donations and crowdfunding. If I had to compare this to something else then I would say that watching this somewhat felt like I was watching something created by Coen brothers or Taika Waititi - in terms of approach to character interactions and some style similarities.

The movie relies too much on profanity. If you remove the swear words from the movie, you are left with a poorly made movie, which leaves you feeling like you wasted 2 hours of your life.