I appreciated this way more on a second viewing.
Compared to the ominous tone of other Jan Svankmajer movies (Such as Alice, Faust, or Little Otik) this is (relatively speaking) somewhat more light-heart, but still filled with plenty of his trademark bizarre surrealism, not exent of twisted, almost nightmarish elements.
Bizarre dreams slowly merge with a just slightly less bizarre reality here, with characters switching from cutout-animation to live action in a manner only Svankmajer would be able to do; the final result is definately weird, but quite fascinating, both from a visual and narrative standpoint.
Maybe the eventual plot twist was a bit "predictable" (I mean, said twist was a given, considering the digs at Freudian psychology made here) but the overall experience is still quite rewarding for any enjoyer of weird films.
It is weird just "for the sake of being weird"? Maybe, but Jan Svankmajer is able to make weirdness into unique art. It might not be everyone's cup of tea, but it's definitely one of the most original, fascinating experience.
Compared to the ominous tone of other Jan Svankmajer movies (Such as Alice, Faust, or Little Otik) this is (relatively speaking) somewhat more light-heart, but still filled with plenty of his trademark bizarre surrealism, not exent of twisted, almost nightmarish elements.
Bizarre dreams slowly merge with a just slightly less bizarre reality here, with characters switching from cutout-animation to live action in a manner only Svankmajer would be able to do; the final result is definately weird, but quite fascinating, both from a visual and narrative standpoint.
Maybe the eventual plot twist was a bit "predictable" (I mean, said twist was a given, considering the digs at Freudian psychology made here) but the overall experience is still quite rewarding for any enjoyer of weird films.
It is weird just "for the sake of being weird"? Maybe, but Jan Svankmajer is able to make weirdness into unique art. It might not be everyone's cup of tea, but it's definitely one of the most original, fascinating experience.