Blízko nebe

Very postmodernic colorful movie about nothing. We are in hotel in the middle of Prague - well, I don't know similar Prague hotel, where live old Czech people and speak English, even Czech TV moderators speak English - and we can see lives of some strange inhabitants - and owner of the hotel and receptionist. Young Smason paints his pictures and loves Emily - he also comments very rare and tiresome lives of other people in hotel. Well, there is some plot, but very far-fetched and unlogical. Maybe you hope, there is functional any poetic atmosphere, but not. If movie wanted something to say, I don't know what - and why, too. Acting is also terrible and spoken English for laughing.

A friend of mine invited me to a showing of this film. I'm a pretty big film guy, and since I had never seen a Czech film I agreed to come along. But I don't think this was a good start for me. There were parts of the film I really liked. Some of the characters were interesting, like the budding magician with a bad lisp. But most of them just tried to hard to be quirky. The framework used as the plot moves very slowly, and I found myself being bored on several occasions. Some scenes really stood out, but the good didn't outweigh the bad. The cinematography and color palate was interesting, but in no way original. And the ending, without spoiling anything, seems like a clichéd, unnecessary cop out that's been beaten to death in recent films. If you're big into Czech film, maybe give this one a look. You might appreciate it more than I did. But if you're not, give it a pass. Very "meh".

What a cool film! Just got back in the States from a vacation in Prague where I saw this film. Couldn't believe - -it a Czech film, in English! The people in the film were really interesting. . . kind of strange in a good way. Quirky comes to mind, but they are certainly fun. And the set was super amazing. . . real in a kind of surreal way . . . it was just so visually interesting. Not something you see in every other film, that's for sure. . . same goes for the characters. The story is a bit untraditional. . . it's not a story story. It's more like a look at an event, then you get to see from everyone else's point of view how they interpreted what happened. With the 'cast of characters' living at Close To Heaven Hotel you can imagine how different each of their experiences were from one another. For example, the storyteller, Samuel describes and interaction he observed between two of the characters -- Ernest and the Old Lady. All three of them had a very different point of view about the same event. . . Intriguing! So true of real life, too! Hope it makes it here to the States. . . I'd see it again! Actually, I know I'd see things I didn't even see the first time. . . so I'd definitely go again!

A terrible film.

There are so many things wrong with this film its hard to know where to start. So for arguments sake lets begin with wondering why a Czech team made a film in English, and used actors who could barely speak the language. Two examples suffice, the pronunciation of 'knock' with a 'K', and 'doubt' with a 'B' are surely enough to describe the quality of the actors and production values.

Most of the common crude black stereotypes are employed, not so surprising in a Czech film, but considering the international market it is aimed at (being in English),its perhaps not so wise. Are people still making jokes about black men having large genitalia in 2005? Yes if this film is to be believed.

It's hard to think of many saving graces about this clichéd drivel. Clearly trying to be inspired by the likes of Amelie and Magnolia, it fails on every count.

I just saw the film

CLOSE TO HEAVEN is truly the last bohemian hotel in Prague. This film takes a peek into the lives of the long-term residents over the coarse of one day's unique series of events....from each character's point of view.

Samuel, one of the hotel's eclectic denizens, tells us his story and introduces us to the mix of intriguing characters at Close To Heaven Hotel -- the beautiful Emily from Sweden, the Siamese twins Kira & Mina, the illusionist Ernest, a group of seniors who gather to talk with spirits, Gut the hotelier, mysterious Mr. Jeigermiester on the first floor and Samuel's own extended African family.

The day unfolds varying perspectives which culminates in........?

OK. As an ex-pat living in Prague, I loved it! The art direction, the characters, the music!!!, the "idea" of community in this wonderfully strange little hotel....I really enjoyed the time with these people!

This is not a "brain candy" film where you sit down and turn your brain off. It's not at all like a typical linear US film which bangs you over the head with it's simplistic storyline. CLOSE TO HEAVEN is an experience.... for me it was a joy to meet these intriguing characters in this intriguing place where each perspective of what is happening is different from the other. The music is very cool as well......way cool!