Strong and Moving!

Self-important, over-dramatic, uninspired.

I am only giving this movie a 1 for the great cast, though I can't imagine what any of them were thinking. This movie was horrible

All of these films share one commonality, that being a kind of emotional center that humanizes a cast of monsters.

Edi (2002), directed and co-scripted by Piotr Trzaskalski, was shown at the Rochester Polish Film Festival at the Little Theatre.Henryk Golebiewski plays Edi (pronounced "Eddie"), an intelligent and gentle intellectual, who has ended up literally and figuratively on the scrapheap--he collects scrap metal on the street. His business partner, Jureczek (played by Jacek Braciak) is neither intelligent nor particularly gentle. (The relationship between the two men reminded me of the relationship between George and Lennie in "Of Mice and Men.") The two live at the fringe of society, barely making enough money to keep a roof over their heads and liquor in their systems. Two brutal gangsters--known only as "The Brothers," hire Edi to tutor their sister so that she will pass her high school examinations. The sister, Princess, played by Aleksandra Kisio, is attractive in a nubile adolescent way, and Edi falls in love with her. This love leads Edi to make two immense sacrifices for Princess--sacrifices that will change his life forever. The film also stars the luminous Polish actor Malgorzata Flegel-Siedler as Krysia, a woman whose relationship with Edi provides us with his "back-story."This is a sad film about bad things happening to a kind and gentle man. It's not cheerful or cheering, but it's serious, well made, and worth seeing.

Well the moment you start watching a Polish movie you know that you will see some movie that is based on reality and not the usual Hollywood-crap that is coming to us. And how many little errors there might be in here, I'd rather wanna see this instead of X-Men number 1234. The story is about two men who are seeking for old used metal which they hope to sell and as the mob seems to be involved everywhere in East Europa, it's no different here as well as this gang is ruled by the two so-called brothers who have no mercy. And certainly not when they discover that their sister is pregnant of Edi. The sad thing is that Edi never has touched the girl but she is so in fear that she just names an easy victim and what then happens is the deepest humilation a man can have. Call it cinema verite or whatever, Edi is a beautiful piece of Polish cinema. Not the best in his sort but definitely worth watching!

That's a refreshing break after other, action-packed or over-sentimental productions. Moreover, it'll probably come through to audiences abroad (I hope so). Edi and other scrap pickers are the very bottom of the society, yet they try to live their lives all the same; and as the movie goes on, they impress viewers more and more, though certainly they are not innocent. And one more thing: there are books here that play an important role in the main character's life - something I haven't seen for ages. The director admitted he used a buddhist story as a foundation for the plot and that only adds up to its universality. I recommend it strongly, regardless whether it will get the Oscar nomination or not.

These are the most memorable words uttered by Edi, who subjected to all kinds of obstacles has the strength to live his life, the strength that puts many of us to shame."Edi" is one of the most sad and most cheerful, ugliest and most beautiful films I have ever seen. It is sad because it shows the life which all people would like to avoid and the life which is ignored, forgotten and yet it exists. It is cheerful, because Edi tries to live his life the best he can. It is ugly, because it shows this side of life we all wish to forget. It is beautiful, because it shows that even junk collectors be honest, valiant and unyielding.I highly recommend this film to anyone who wants to be reminded that there is goodness and beauty even in the ugliest, poorest, seemingly worthless people.