MovieChat Forums > Rewers (2009) Discussion > People laughing

People laughing

posted 14 years ago by zbyszanna
6 replies | jump to latest

There were people laughing in the very key moments of this film. I cannot understand what is <SPOILERS AHEAD> so funny in a person dying horrible death? What is so funny, about mother wanting to kill her child? What is so funny, about dead body being dissolved in acid? I don't know, maybe I am just "different".
And they were eating popcorn and talking and talking. Where is the respect for all those people who acted in this movie, where is the respect for all those who had to live through such situations as depicted in the film?
Maybe they just lack emotions, or maybe they all live an easy life and when sadness and anxiety enters their hearts they just don't know how to handle it, how to react? Was the tension too high? Did they have to release it through the only mean they know - laugh? Would they explode if they didn't do this?
I don't say I am perfect, but I was really indignant with such behavior.
Did they laugh in your cinema in those sad and terrifying moments?

[–] theninthgate 14 years ago

You might be "different", or, judging by your post here, you have no sense of humour. :D Because, let's face it, the grotesqueness and absurdity of the scenes made the reaction of the audience perfectly understandable. For instance, there was nothing scary, heroic or dignified about the death scene, and the whole "let's get rid of the problem" sequence was hilarious. On top of it, you have those three women who are survivor-types, seemingly helpless against the ubiquity and hypocrisy of the communist system, yet so resourceful and determined to circumvent it and set their own terms of the game.

Brilliant job from the crew and the actors. Kudos especially to the cinematographer, Marcin Koszałka. The noir-like shots were truly beautiful, very much in the spirit of "The Third Man" or "Touch of Evil". Please, don't let your talent go to waste.

It's my first Polish film seen at the cinema since 1997 (blame dumbed-down scripts, forgettable romcoms and amateurish film-making) and I'm positively shocked: no pandering to the modern-day Eloi, no patronizing or moralizing, no pushing the Grand and Virtuous Suffering down our throats. Could it be the beginning of a New Polish School?

FYI, I saw the film and laughed during most of the sad and terrifying moments. I didn't talk and didn't eat popcorn, though. Do I get a cookie? ;)

[–] Eudocia508 14 years ago

I just got back from a screening in NYC and thought the film was tremendous. I laughed, as did many--when her brother saw the skull in the acid bath and passed out, I laughed and did during other scenes, as well, for the very reasons you pointed out so well. (There was no popcorn available! LOL)

[–] theninthgate 14 years ago

You must have been in a classy cinema, Eudocia508. ;) Anyway, it's cool you enjoyed the film. A good quirky comedy is hard to find these days.

[–] Eudocia508 14 years ago

Just read your first post--very good analysis. It was at the Director's Guild of America screening room--huge. Very nice. Agreed--quirky comedies are hard to find so this was such a treat!

[–] theninthgate 14 years ago

Good films deserve to be shown in good screening rooms. And thanks for your nice comment, Eudocia.

[–] czarnone 13 years ago

Wonderful film and, yes, very (darkly) funny but that's the absurdity of the situation and reality of the time as ninthgate articulated well. Very intelligent and funny movie. A rare thing. Highly recommended.