The screenplay for the upcoming film Když se zhasne (When the Lights Go Out) is based on a successful stage comedy penned by Michaela Doleželová and Roman Vencl, which has been playing in Olomouc and at other theaters since its 2012 premiere.
Surprisingly, Andy Fehu, known for his more unconventional films (Nenasytná Tiffany, Shoky &. Morthy: Poslední velká akce), took on the adaptation. Fehu revised the screenplay with Doleželová’s assistance, and Michal Baláž, also joined the writing team. This unusual collaboration may be the reason the final product feels somewhat disjointed, like a dish that’s been overcooked.
A Contract Written on a Napkin
The story revolves around a prenuptial agreement hastily scribbled on a bar napkin during a drunken night, now framed in the couple’s home. Nina and Richard, a long-married couple experiencing emotional distance, find themselves entangled in a game of one-upmanship, each trying to provoke the other into infidelity to avoid losing their assets in a divorce. They enlist the support of their friends, Alena and Čenda, who have their own set of problems. All of this unfolds against the backdrop of Nina’s professional ambitions as she prepares to open her own restaurant.
Trailer k filmu Když se zhasne:
The couple’s mutual animosity escalates, and complications arise as Nina prepares for the grand opening of her restaurant. A notoriously harsh food critic is expected to attend, adding to the pressure.
A Series of Awkward Moments
The core ingredients weren’t bad—the premise had the potential to be a witty conversational comedy set against the backdrop of the culinary world. Although, too many cooks were involved, and the result lacks a delicate touch. The film is a succession of unfunny dialogue and tasteless jokes, making the audience long for the finish credits. This release comes amid a busy February for film, with several highly anticipated titles hitting theaters.
Occasionally, a joke lands—such as one referencing the gynecologist’s profession (“I’ve known your ovaries for years, I wanted to get to know your work too”) or a chef’s line (“No food leaves this kitchen until I find that finger!”)—but these moments are rare. The food critic, portrayed with a whimsical edge, and the fact that the seven-course menu at the 7 Sins restaurant was created in collaboration with Vojtěch Kotek and a professional chef, Marco Christov, add a touch of intrigue.
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info Zdroj: se svolením Bontonfilmu zoom_in Vojtěch Kotek ve společnosti profesionálních kuchařů, kteří se podíleli na filmovém menu.
However, in most cases, the dialogue and punchlines fall flat, and the filmmakers deliver a string of awkward scenes lacking wit. The wait for a clever domestic comedy continues. It feels as endless as waiting for Godot.
Hodnocení Deníku: 30 %
Fehu gives the comedy a pleasant visual style—shooting in the industrial space of the Telegraph in Olomouc, a former telegraph factory where scenes from the restaurant were filmed, on Svatý Kopeček, and at the university’s Konvikt. Thanks to cinematographer Tomáš Juríček, the sets have an impressive atmosphere, especially the shots from the Telegraph. But that’s where the positives end.
Instead of great situational humor, Když se zhasne offers a series of awkward scenes lacking both wit and punch.
