Most

I saw this movie in the company of the directors Bobby Garabedian and William Zabka in a private screening of the movie. Needless to say, this movie was absolutely breathtaking. I can honestly say this is one of the best movies I have ever seen, the parallels in this movie to Biblical truth are staggering and the sheer art form it possesses is remarkable. If you have not seen it, or have even the slightest bit of remote interest in viewing it, I strongly urge you to. Please don't let the fact that the movie is in another language hinder you from watching, in fact, it makes it 1000 times better. This movie has changed my life and even several months after watching it, I am still amazed by it.

I saw MOST at the Nashville Film Festival in May,2003. The film is about a single father and his son in modern day Poland. They seem to have only each other, and through the course of the film we see the nature and depth of their relationship. There are a set of secondary characters developed in the opening scenes and we are allowed to understand that the train these characters are getting on, is key to the story. We learn that the father is a railroad drawbridge operator when he takes his son to the work with him. The journey to the bridge is when the film sets the hook. It is among the most subtle and effective uses of foreshadowing and emotional participation I have ever seen. I will tell no more, but that the father must make the most difficult decision of any parent's life and the audience, now involved , must make the decision with him. It is masterful storytelling. If you have a chance to see it, please make it a priority. It is the kind of short film that raises the bar.

MOST is about 30 minutes long and manages to tell a feature length story. It has a primarily Polish cast and is subtitled. The film was written by producer Billy Zabka( "Sweep the leg Johnny!") and director Bobby Garabedian. They are best known as a music video directing team(Sarah Evans, among others), but prove themselves capable of narrative storytelling in this medium.

I just returned from an "Entertainment and Media Summit" in Nashville and it was there that I first learned of this film. Two people in the entertainment business whose opinions I respect had nothing but praise for "Most," a movie which came up in our conversation because Bill Zabka, one of the writers, was scheduled to be at the summit. (Unfortunately, he had to cancel at the last minute.) But I did discover an opportunity there to purchase a DVD from one of the other attendees, a young man whose own life was so changed by this movie that he buys multiple copies directly from the publisher and sells them at his cost wherever he goes "just so more lives can be touched." That was an even better recommendation than that of my friends and I quickly handed over the money.

Having now watched the movie I am tempted to join that young man in carrying copies with me. I have given away many books but have never (other than as a present for some occasion) given away a movie. This is one I will. The acting is outstanding, especially by the lead but also by the young man who plays the role of the son of the lead character. The production values are extraordinarily high for an independent film (for any film, actually), the music is simple but not simplistic, and that the film is in Czech makes it even better.

But of course the best thing is the story telling. The story is, I think, always the the thing, and while this story is not new it is told so powerfully, so beautifully, so movingly, that you become part of it.

Most is Czech for bridge, but after watching this movie both words mean so much more. This is an incredible movie which is entertaining and rewarding. See it if you can.

I saw this movie at a church family retreat. You can't describe the depth and meaning of this film, it HAS to be seen. I couldn't keep from thinking about it. It paralleled my life so much and I could truly relate. I went away actually bawling. This truly represents Gods love for his children. I had to go out and purchase the movie for myself. I am excited to share it with my Youth Group at church. I think this could make an impact on many youth because it hits so many areas of life. A must see for everyone. Kudo's to everyone involved with the production. I look forward to seeing more works from Bobby Garabedian and William Zabka.

I first saw this short at the 2003 Sundance Film Festival and it blew me away. It was better than most of the 22 full length feature films that I screened! The other comments here are truly right-on as to the description on the film and the skill in which it was made. There wasn't a dry eye in the house when the lights went up! Truly amazing for a 29 minute film to elicit such an arc of emotions. It should have won an award at Sundance. Instead, it is nominated in the Best Live Action Short category for the 2004 Academy Awards! My quest will be to see it once again (not easy for shorts!) and to own a copy.