Joanna (Jo) is a handsome, stylish woman in her middle/late forties. She lives in a small Polish town with her husband Witold (Witek), who is outwardly kind and patient, although emotionally detached. They both are professors in a local high school; Witek is also serving a term as principal. Jo is having an affair with Maciek, a fellow professor; the relation, except for sex isn't going anywhere. Jo and Witek live in a cramped apartment together with their two sons, the wife and baby of the eldest (who can't afford their own apartment) and Jo's mother, which is suffering from Alzheimer and is reaching the point of 24/7 care. Jo seems in charge of household chores, sometimes ungraciously assisted by her daughter-in-law. She is genuinely interested in her students and relates easily with them.
This is it. For the duration of the movie we witness the family and their problems, which grow more pressing as the story proceeds. As in real life there are no easy solutions. The ending is open; everybody is overwhelmed by their troubles and the future is bleak, but the family finds an emotional connection absent until then. The effect of the tale is voyeuristic; we witness snatches of happenings in the life of strangers and we can join the dots according to our imagination (or not join them at all).
Acting is excellent (not unusual in Polish movies), Most of the weight falls on Agata Buzek, playing Jo. She has screen presence and conveys emotions in a subtle, low key, often nonverbal way, sometimes through closeups of her face or just her eyes. Direction is fluid, and cinematography matches the bleakness of the tale and the drabness of the scenario. Finally, there are touches of whimsical humor, such as the portrait in Witek's office that he abuses on a daily basis.
