CommentsXp
Best movie ever!
FirstWitch
A movie that not only functions as a solid scarefest but a razor-sharp satire.
Logan
By the time the dramatic fireworks start popping off, each one feels earned.
Horst in Translation (filmreviews@web.de)
"Franz Kafka's It's a Wonderful Life" is a 22-minute short film from 20 years ago that won an Academy Award (tied with another film) and BAFTA Award. The title gives away the action pretty much already. This is very much influenced by the black-and-white James Stewart Christmas classic mixed with a kafkaesque take and finally Peter Capaldi's unique take on comedy. If you have seen some of his works, such as "In the Loop", you will know what I mean. Capaldi is mostly an actor, so it's a bit strange that his greatest achievement in terms of awards comes for a film he wrote and directed. He is mostly known recently for playing Doctor Who, which elevated his popularity a lot again. Anyway, this work here did not really convince me. I did not find it a too interesting or memorable effort, even if the mix-up of these 2 characters was certainly an interesting idea. All in all, not recommended.
MartinHafer
This film is for anyone who has actually read Kafka--and not just the CliffNotes! Because he is one of those "great and important authors" we hear about in literature, most likely very few people ever got around to actually reading his work. Plus, to make things worse, Kafka had a bad habit of dying and not finishing his stories! What nerve! So, if you have actually read Kafka, then this film is for you--others need not bother.The film shows Richard E. Grant as Kafka and he's in the middle of writing "Metamorphosis"--the story of a guy who, believe it or not, wakes up to find himself a giant cockroach! This is the actual story--not something I am making up! However, in the film, Kafka has a terrible case of writer's block as he tries to work through the plot. He's to the point where the man wakes up and finds that he's become a.....and then SOMETHING interrupts! It's either neighbors in another flat partying loudly, a loud saleslady delivering something to the wrong apartment, a professional knife sharpener looking for his conscience ("Jimminy Cockroach") or bugs running about his apartment.It's all a very well made absurdist sort of parody that will make you laugh if, and only if, you understand the jokes. A wonderful film for literature professors and lunatics like myself who have actually read Kafka--all others need not apply.
gavin6942
Franz Kafka sits in his apartment trying to write "The Metamorphosis", but is bothered by a man selling knives and hacksaws, women throwing a party and a lady selling gag gifts. This, mixed with a twisted version of the Frank Capra film this movie is named after, makes for an interesting time.One reviewer summarized this film as "Monty Python meets Orson Welles over the body of Franz Kafka with spectacular results!" I can see that. The Monty Python is the oddball humor, and the Franz Kafka is the main plot. But the Orson Welles really stands out, too, and maybe would not have if I had not read the review. The scenes in this film rely heavily on odd camera shots, many of them from under the floorboards or up stairs, giving the "larger than life" look Welles had in "Citizen Kane" when the cameraman sat in dug out hole. (Try it yourself, taking someone's photograph from a seated position while they stand -- gigantic!) The main character (Kafka) is played beautifully by Richard E. Grant. I obviously never met Kafka personally, but Grant portrays him as a paranoid and idiosyncratic, eccentric germophobe. Yeah, I think that pretty much captures the idea (have you read Kafka's "The Trial"?). Grant is known from other projects, but this might well be his master performance.The secondary characters are also nice... the salesman is great and the woman at the party is perfect for the role. And we need not forget the man playing Gregor Samsa... nice acting and fine singing! The way the footage for the Samsa parts was made to look very old (1920s) was a nice touch, giving off a comedic Charlie Chaplinesque quality.If you can find this in your local video store, pick it up. As a short film, even if you don't like it, the movie will be over before you realize it. But I'd bet dollars to doughnuts you'll love it as much as me. This one really takes the original idea and runs with it... to Oscar gold.
DFWcrtic
A fascinating and unique film from the BBC which received much critical buzz in England, though relatively little attention stateside. 'Tis a pity, as the colonists would get a kick out of it.
