Le Remède à l'oubli

International audiences should know where the negative opinions of some Polish film reviewers come from. Well, the book Znachor (The Quack), written in 1937 by Tadeusz Dolega-Mostowicz (initially as a screenplay), lived to see three screen adaptations. The first one, directed by Michal Waszynski, was also filmed in 1937, the second one, directed by Jerzy Hoffman, premiered in 1981, and this one, albeit a rather loose adaptation of the novel (especially when it comes to the character of Professor Dobraniecki, who is a disgusting character in the book) gained recognition from Polish audiences and acquired the status of an icon of Polish cinematography, and icons are not touched in Poland. At least that's what some people think, especially those who can't tear themselves away from what was, no matter what the quality of the new one is.

Meanwhile, the new adaptation (yes adaptation, not remake) of the novel "The Quack", which has the international title "Forgotten Love", is a brilliantly shot, charming film about love, goodness, loyalty to principles and a bit about Poland as it was between the World Wars. Wonderful cinematography, great music interwoven with folk songs, set and costume design, and excellent acting (there really is no weak role in this film) make you travel back in time to the first half of the 20th century for 2 hours and 20 minutes feeling as if you are almost there, in the beautiful Polish countryside. You will love the characters and identify with them, and when the film is over you will want to watch it again. In the previous version, Hoffman made the rascal Dobraniecki into a knight on a white horse who rescues Professor Wilczur from his oppression; in this version, this miserable careerist and scoundrel remains himself to the end, just as in the book. Fans of Hoffman's film will not find the iconic courtroom scene in Forgotten Love, but this could not have happened if the authors had decided to be consistent with Dobraniecki's character. Instead, there is a new version of it, in my opinion more logical, beautiful and truly moving. And the ending? Also different, also consistent with the adaptation adopted and really beautiful. So, don't look at the frustrators and retrogrades, just watch this film and I assure you that not only will you not regret it, but you will experience more than 2 hours of emotion, laughter, reflection and a bit of history, all in beautiful landscapes and scenery that will not return. Highly recommended.

I waited a long time for a movie (series) adapted from the book and I'm happy that it's finally here. As usual, very good Polish actors, excellent decors and a good adaptation, taking into account that it's just a movie. In my opinion, a series (a short one, 6 of 1 hour episodes would have been enough I think) would have been more appropriate to emphasize the fame and skills of the professor, his reputation and relation with his wife, and his increasingly warm relation to his daughter. However, the movie does a good job given the time limitation, so I recommend it, especially if you read the book.

I took a chance on this movie and decided to watch it without seeing a trailer first, and I'm so glad I did. I loved every minute of it! The plot and story line gave me all the feels. One moment I wanted to cry, other moments I wanted to throw my remote at the screen, and in a couple scenes I wanted to get up and dance! Some characters melted my heart while others infuriated me. It was so beautifully balanced and entertaining.

In some ways it reminded me of Les Miserables, but with a completely different storyline.

From start to finish, I loved it. I'll definitely be looking for more movies like this one.

Znachor adaptation directed by Jerzy Hoffmann remains one of most touching films of my childhood.

So, the curiosity, some serious reserves, the certitude than Jerzy Binczycky has no pair but provocated by the courage of Michael Gazda, I saw it.

And it is far to be dissapointed experience. In fact, two virtues define it - the splendid portrait of Poland life between wars and the high loyalty to the novel.

Sure, the acting is basic virtue and the story grows up with inspired crafted dramatism. But the second virtue is the wise recreation of atmosphere, using old buildings and clothes, nice cinematography , fair use of nature.

The story is familiar and its dramatic reflexes, good use of humor drops, the dialogue are great good points. And, indeed, Leszek Lichota is fair option for Professor.

In short, just a beautiful gift.

Forgotten Love is a pre-war Polish epic that belongs in the company of Les Misérables, Dr. Zhivago, and Gone with the Wind, to name a few of the grand stories that depict love, its loss, its renewal, and the effects it has over generations of families and countries. This Netflix third adaptation of a cherished classic novel, The Quack, brings freshness, period perfect costumes, and production design for a complete cinematic experience.

A renowned surgeon loses his memory after an attempted robbery in a dark street. Lost and confused, he roams the country for decades not knowing who he is or whatever happened to the little daughter his estranged wife stole from him. His love in this dynamic period piece is both for his lost daughter and his lost occupation, which once made him the top brain surgeon in the country but now catapults him from the upper class to the lower.

Director Michal Gazda quietly shows in a series of remarkably affecting scenes how this lost man saves lives without knowing why and comes closer to finding his daughter than he could ever realize. While his amnesia is persistent, the film shows how something as deeply felt as a gifted skill and its passion manifest even without realizing it. Lesek Lichota gently plays the heroic Doctor Wilczur with such finesse and understatement that none can deny his greatness.

After a few improbable incidents, including Polish magical realism, the doctor emerges. Along the way, the film emphasizes the class divide through the secondary romance of the doctor's daughter, Maria (Maria Kowalska) with Count Czynski (Mikolaj Grabowski).

A society that can deny peasants' medical needs and thwart the integration of love between those boundaries reveals a cruelty that only heroes like the doctor and his daughter can overcome. The film consistently emphasizes the class divide and its attendant injustices.

While Forgotten Love at times evokes tears in the delicacy of love forsaken, the film grounds itself in the reality of lost love and class warfare to the dramatic extent that reconciliations might not happen, so determined fate seems to be to deny happiness and, most of all, love.

Forgotten Love is one of the best international films of the year that satisfies our need for romance in art that leaves us happy to be human.