L'apprenti

This film is about a man's struggle between the strive for a better life and morality.

The film does not have beautiful sets or costumes. Instead, it uses the detailed description of the psychological conflict to draw the viewers. Wojtek starts off as a hard working person, in order to provide for his girlfriend and her son. After getting the first taste of big bucks, he spirals into the underworld. Initially, he refuses to cooperate with the gangsters, but he succumbs to lucrative financial rewards.

The portrayal of Wojtek's inner struggle is amazing. I could feel his pain and confusion. The transition from a caring Wojtek to a ruthless Wojtek is remarkable and thoughtfully shown. Katia stands for a high moral value, and the conflict between the couple is palpable.

The only disappointment I find with the film is that the ending is too abrupt.

The cast and crew did a fine job in displaying Polish life. Wojtek is a young Polish man who falls in love with a Ukrainian young mother. Fabicki, the film's director, was a promising start. He depicted Polish life as it is in the post Communist world where Poland is trying to rebuild itself as a capitalistic society. Wojtek would learn that money and materialism isn't everything. While Poland has come a long way since Communism, some things still stay the same.

I was unlucky to see this movie at the Toronto International Film Festival and now by chance I came across it on IDMB. I was hoping it might have been a movie I missed and after realizing what it is I decided to post my comment.

I can't believe how this pathetic movie garnered some awards as it appears to have. The plot is banal and approaches stupid as the unconvincing downfall of this man is portrayed. Somehow the director tries to portray that hard work will get you nowhere in post-communist Poland and the attachment with a gang lifestyle also leads to a calamity. The ending is so abrupt and unexpected that it leaves the audience wondering whether the film reel missed a splicing.

I would like to watch a Polish movie worthy of the time to see it and this one falls so far behind that and I truly regret the wasted time.