Change Your Image
gary-stretton
Reviews
Edi (2002)
A beautifully paced depiction of an anonymous everyday hero.
This film stands tall for its honest portrayal of humanity in the face of being used as a scape-goat. Edi deserves your attention - it will move you, make you angry, sad and possibly bring tears for both. It doesn't lapse into mere sentimentality however. A life-affirming experience. I watched it on DVD but relish the chance to see it on the big screen. The English sub-titles related the story without affecting continuity or plot, or removing any of the film's subtlety or nuances, found in its native Polish language.
The cinematography brought to life a Poland of two kinds - the harsh reality of city life and the pastoral beauty and salvation of the countryside. Poland's own transition since Solidarity seemed to be similarly mirrored. Edi's existence as an educated man forced into a seedy subculture in the city never compromises his own self-belief and therein the true hero lies. Wrongly accused of rape, his life is at the mercy of two crime-lords. Self-sacrifice as a means to redemption isn't Hollywood but that's where the humanity of Edi lies.