Matrimonio di convenienza

'Malzenstwo z rozsadku' (The Marriage of Convenience) was one of early comedies by Polish acknowledged director Stanislaw Bareja, better known for his later classic satires for communist reality in Poland. This early film contains elements of a social satire as well. The main plot is a feeling growing between a poor aspiring painter Andrzej (Daniel Olbrychski) and Joanna (Elzbieta Czyzewska), who pretends to be a rich diplomat's daughter. In fact, Joanna's parents come from a lower social class and own a stall with clothes at the market. Such businessmen were hardly tolerated by communist authorities, so they try to hide their great income, and they like an idea of their daughter marrying the painter, who might sell paintings at high prices to dummy buyers, thus legalizing the income. The problem is, that neither Andrzej nor Joanna are aware of their planned role. Their love however wins.

The film is pleasant to watch, light comedy, with colourful views of Warsaw old town from 1960s. In spite of poor actorship and noticeable lack of talent of young Daniel Olbrychski, Elzbieta Czyzewska is charming, and lots of supporting actors steal show in their parts. Especially likeable is a character of Edzio (Bohdan Lazuka), as a jaded pauperised descendant of artistocracy, looking for a rich wife and faking French accent in conversations with his artistocratic aunt. Great performance is also given by Bogumil Kobiela as Eng. Kwilecki, stealing twine from a factory across the street, what is an allusion to limited supply of goods in communist economy. Boleslaw Plotnicki playing Joanna's father is convincing as simple, but clever businessman.