Jagoda u supermarketu

This is a really funny movie. It really is. An assessment after ten years ( a bit more) is that this is a lightweight comedy with minimal political points that is really very enjoyable. Is it Battleship Potemkin? No, of course not. But it is FUNNY. When it's funny, it is really funny. I laughed a lot in this movie. There is some wordplay that the Western subtitled version misses, of course, but it's still really amusing and at times, sweet. It reminds me of HIGH FIDELITY at times, with it's bringing together people. This is one of my favorite Serbian movies. Oh my god, the grandmother, the old veteran with his Kinder Eggs... the expatriate 'Serb' running an American supermarket in a culture she knows nothing about... The electric-eye doors, the assault on the senses that the Supermarket is! Too funny.

Oh: "I'm Falcon, not Chickenhawk!" Funny, funny stuff.

JAGODA U SUPERMARKETU is all about ideology. The films focuses all its` energy in attempts to defamate globalization which is fine. The only problem is that it was made in Serbia where poverty and spiritual decay rule. Also, in such a state, Milic film claims that love can overthrow any pain and thet our only trouble is the fact that Americans are openning supermarkets.

Wrong! There is no love in decay. Decay is sickness not a state of grace.

When it comes to craft, which was supposed to shaded by ideology, let`s begin with screenwriting. Screenwriting is horrible. This film feels like a 1985 comedy that scored a BOMB in Maltin guide. The dialogue is vulgar and as many films before, it relies on vulgar displays of verbal wit.

Characters are flat and acting is weak since actors cannot create out of nothing. Also, Branka Katic, one of our major stars, is too old for this role even though she was a typecast. Problem is, she belonged in this type ten years ago, in 1992. Now, its` 2002/2003 and she must move on. Aging is not her problem. It`s all about the director who picks the cast of main characters.

Milic`s staging and editing are neat. Editing and cinematogralhy are top-notch when compared to Serbian standards. Of course, Emir Kusturica`s credit as producer means that this film was made on a budget. I hope Milic will rebound from this abyss because underneath piles of producer and festival inflicted compromise lays a talented craftsman that can make a solid picture given a good script.

Neatly made, though nothing spectacular film from Yugoslavia (Serbia). Has a made-for-television feel to it (though i'm not sure if this is the case, or if this film had a cinema release in it's homeland).

Some of the attempts at slapstick comedy just did not work, our hijacker constantly slipping on the floor wore thin after about the second time. The mocking of the police by the crowd was rather unrealistically childish.

Hard to find any fault with the acting performances working with a threadbare script.

My advice put your brain into stand-by mode & just let this film take you for a rather silly ride. 5/10

Reading the other comments on this film I have to say I might view this film differently if I understood the current socio-political climate in Serbia or the mindsets of the peoples living there. While it had definite moments of social commentary and a few political digs thrown in, I watched this movie primarily as a commentary on what people are willing to go through to fit in and to stand up for the people whom they love.

These messages, and the style of the film, are really universal and accessible. It is easy to fall into this film and get caught up in the quirky, somewhat unlikely, and very endearing situations the characters find themselves in. While I can't address the political issues that previous reviewers mentioned, I'm really surprised that (in one review at least) the actors were criticized on their performances. There were no Shakespearian moments or performance of a lifetime here, but all the actors were brilliantly expressive and kept up a live-on-stage vibe the whole way through. The dialog was witty and well delivered; there's a great interaction between the crowd that gathers around the supermarket and the police who are trying to coax out the hostage-taker.

So, just what is this film about (no spoilers): Jagoda works at a new American-style supermarket. She doesn't really like her job (we don't blame her). "Just then" a guy with a rifle busts into the supermarket and starts taking hostages. We don't know what's up with this guy, is he crazy? ex-special forces? suicidal? Or all of the above? The "tension" builds up as the police, and a large crowd, gather outside. The situation inside goes from depressing to manic and everything along the way. It's quite a ride towards the final, inevitable showdown, where every character has a hand in the outcome.

This film is a quirky story that encourages you to laugh at the ridiculous situations life throws at you.

It could have been sharp comedy about globalization, one small Balkan country in transition, romance, confusion and charming local customs. Like making fun of police, taking any chance to organize demonstrations, taking any chance to make fun of Americans, globalization, recent Balkan history, current political situation and Serbian mentality. This combo is spiced by personal stories of main characters who turn out to be confused and lost in today's world. Main music theme, hilarious brass band cover of "Lost in Supermarket" (Clash) represents personal stories of Jagoda and Marko, who are both indeed "lost in supermarket". Sounds irresistible, considering the fact that cast has one of top Serbian comedy actors.

All of the above is shaded by "could have been". What this film really turned out to be is confused as main characters. But, while Jagoda and Marko seem to find their place in the world, this movie doesn't. It lacks dynamics and consistent story line. It's up to actors to shape and liven up the movie and they truly did their best. But it takes more then charming Branka Katic's smiles, hilarious facial expressions by Srdjan Todorovic or ruthless mockery of police forces to make great comedy.

While very idea is good, both writing and directing fail to meet quality of "it could have been" factor. Kudos to casting and production team who did their job with flying colors. Worth watching only if you are fan of Branka Katic, Srdjan Todorovic, Danilo Lazovic or local football champion "Red Star".