Richard J. Brzostek - 02/21/2012 
An issue many people face is if they should seek fortune or fame at the cost of leaving behind someone or something close to them. Is money or an easier life more important than something that is very dear to a person? This issue doesn’t have an easy answer, but Tearful Happiness (Przez lzy do szczescia) explores it rather well.
In a small town that is far from the flashy cities, resides Dr. Jan Monkiewicz (Franciszek Brodniewicz). He is a kind man that devotes his time to helping his patients and his children. These are not his biological children, but those whom he has cared for since their birth at the orphanage he runs with the help of a couple others. The many boys and girls that live there love Dr. Monkiewicz like their father.
Life runs on the usual course until they decide to have a play to raise money for the orphanage. A famous actress named Lena Merwinska (Irena Malkiewicz) passes through the town when she is taken in by the looks of the good doctor, which delays her for a while. Being a gracious woman and also looking for an excuse to stay, she volunteers to help their local production. The show is quite a hit with such a star taking the leading role opposite Dr. Monkiewicz; and she smites the doctor as well and he finds love on the stage. The only problem is that they live in different worlds -- she is used to living in Warsaw and he has commitments to all the children of the orphanage. Unquestionably, there is quite a dilemma with what each one should do. It doesn’t help it any that Lena is offered a two-year contract to star on stage in America.
I have to say that I am a fan of Polish cinema from the 1930s, so it might not be very surprising that I love this movie. Even with that said, I like how the idea of this story has a timeless aspect. Additionally, for a drama to be a good one it should capture the interest of the viewer and leave him spellbound – which is exactly what Tearful Happiness does for me as the suspense builds to the very last minute. Tearful Happiness is after all a Polish movie, so one really isn’t sure if it will end happily or tragically. But I won’t say any more on what happens, you will have to see for yourself. |
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