The Career of Nikos Dyzma (2002)
Nikos is a master of funeral ceremonies (that's undertaker to you and me) who doesn't expect much from life. After drunkenly insulting a diplomat at a party, weird things begin to happen for Nikos. The news that a mysterious stranger offended the hated Deputy Prime Minister galvanizes the political elite assembled at the banquet, and a rumor that Nikos can take care of anything spreads like wildfire, making him an idol of the masses.
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Truly Dreadful Film
How wonderful it is to see this fine actress carry a film and carry it so beautifully.
Blending excellent reporting and strong storytelling, this is a disturbing film truly stranger than fiction
One of the film's great tricks is that, for a time, you think it will go down a rabbit hole of unrealistic glorification.
Warning, this reviewer's spoiler comes right up front here, although it isn't really revealing anything that previews, trailers and reviews didn't let onto to begin with, to just note that this movie is in many ways comparable to being a post-Soviet version of 1979's BEING THERE, staring Peter Sellers, just being a bit more modern and a lot more hilarious with its own post-Soviet twists. Comedies, particularly the zanier ones, just can't be compared with the same standards as one might use to judge a drama, but as far as comedies go, this one well hits it mark. It's entertaining, light hearted and funny and with some frolicking nudity, including that of Anna Przybylska, that certainly doesn't hurt it at all. It's not very long, short compared to most movies, keeps moving right along and entertaining, and this movie watcher would think most anybody would enjoy it. This movie watcher gives it 8/10 and would gladly watch it again someday.
Knowing and loving Cezary Pazura as the "Kiler", I was very much looking forward to this movie. And I sure wasn't disappointed, since "Kariera Nikosia Dyzmy" is one of the funniest movies I have ever seen. This story of a loser who becomes - by the purest of chances - the Prime Minister of Poland is filled with funny characters and hilarious comments. Lines such as "Ja pana dymam!" or "Blizniaki czterojajowe", "Karmilam kaczky" or "To jest samochod" are truly unforgettable and funny even after I've seen the movie seven times. The story itself is an adaptation of a 20s novel and the creators of this movie deserve credit for transforming the plot and characters into early capitalist Poland of the 90s and doing it perfectly. Characters such as the twins, the ministers and especially the businessman were to be found all over Eastern Europe those days. Last but not the least, the music of the Polish band "Elektryczne gitary" is brilliant. If you are looking for a reason to learn Polish, this movie is definitely worth it. 9 stars out of 10!