Richard J. Brzostek - 01/15/2010 
With a title like Tylko Mnie Kochaj (Just Love Me) you know it is going to be a love story. It borders on being a fairy tale story that shows the good life. Michal (Maciej Zakoscielny) has a good job, a fancy car, and even an apartment tiled with granite; but he doesn't have someone in his life that he loves or loves him. All of that changes when he is surprised one day to find a cute girl at his doorstep claiming to be his daughter.
Michal is in complete disbelief and shock at this seven-year-old girl's claim. She tells Michal that all she wants from him is that he "just love me." He agrees to take care of her for five days to get to know her better. His girlfriend isn't too thrilled with the whole situation. Michal quickly takes a liking to his daughter and they both have a lot of fun together. Michal also meets a woman named Julia at work and they strike up a connection.
A few parts of the movie are a little predictable, as are most romantic comedies. Tylko Mnie Kochaj has some pretty funny parts that make the movie fun. If you have been to Poland recently, you will appreciate the part where Michal is driving on the small road and passing cars like a maniac to get to his destination quicker, as this is exactly how it is nowadays.
Ryszard Zatorski, the director of Tylko Mnie Kochaj, has gained popularity with his romantic comedies. Agnieszka Grochowska, who is an actress I particularly enjoy and think has a promising career, plays the role of Julia. There is even a short clip from Ryszard Zatorski's earlier film Nigdy w Zyciu! edited into this one giving Artur Zmijewski and Danuta Stenka a short cameo. Tylko Mnie Kochaj doesn't have any violence or nudity so it may be appropriate for all crowds. |
Richard Brzostek - 12/08/2008 
"List of Lovers" (Spis Cudzoloznic) is a drama with a dilemma. Professor Gustaw (Jerzy Stuhr) is asked to entertain a visiting professor from Sweden. It turns out that the Swedish Professor Bjorn is only interested in finding a woman for the night. Gustaw calls all of his former lovers hoping to find one that may help entertain his new friend.
Ironically, there are young, attractive women everywhere they go but Gustaw is intent on finding one from his address book instead. We learn about him as he recalls his experiences and shock can only describe his reaction to how the women he knew have changed. Although "List of Lovers" runs a mere 63 minutes, it covers everything well in this time.
"List of Lovers" is the first film Jerzy Stuhr directed. Stuhr's movies are often said to be influenced by the late Krzysztof Kieslowski. Stuhr stared in several of Kieslowski's films, as well as several other influential director's movies, before he took up directing. Although very debatable, I do not think Stuhr is trying to merely copy Kieslowski. Having watched all six of the films Stuhr directed to date, I tend to think he admired Kieslowski and wanted to pay him tribute. After all, I think Stuhr is intelligent enough to know that only Krzysztof Kieslowski is the best at being Krzysztof Kieslowski and only Jerzy Stuhr can be the best Jerzy Stuhr.
I think "List of Lovers" is a very good drama but isn't Stuhr's best work (personally, I think "Historie Milosne" and "Pogoda Na Jutro" are his best films). "List of Lovers" is a great directorial debut and shows us that Stuhr can direct as well as act. If you like Stuhr as an actor or director, "List of Lovers" is worth checking out. |
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