Nyugati nyaralás

Full-scope and very entertaining demo of the 1980s Hungary. Surely not WW2 epic or a zillion dollar production sci-fi but is really worth an evening, funny and nostalgic panoramic view of a holiday by Lake Balaton, with little action and much humor added. All packed into easily digestible 90mins. Costumes, scenery, characters all right in place. Even with a careful attention to the grins, typical phrases and for sure near-to-oldtimer cars. A must-see for Hungarian people ages 35 and up, but also strongly recommended below that, starting with older teenagers. Just that they know how different their childhood is compared to what the 'old folks' around them had.

I really don't like lame family-comedies, especially Hungarian ones which smell like promotion.

Well, after watching this I had to change my view as it was mildly entertaining, sometimes quite funny, but most importantly, it was able to bring back memories from our childhood spent at lake Balaton in the '80s. Great choice of music, almost perfectly selected objects* and nicely portioned storyline with less negative socialist-era and more positive attitude that people actually had back then.

I expected a poorly made propaganda movie for VEB2023 (Veszprém-Balaton European Capital of Culture 2023), but it's not excessive and probably most viewers wouldn't even recognize that it's promoting Veszprém and Balaton.

If you're hesitating whether you should watch it or not, but like nostalgia, give it a chance. Especially if you like the '80s part in Aranyélet.

*I need to mention some of the goofs which could've been easily avoided:

• the rims and tyres on the BMW 3 series did not exist in the last century, especially not in '80s.

• A modern police car is visible in the closing scene.

• during the beach scenes, the family is obviously on the southern side of the lake, probably that's where the producers found untouched old walking paths.

I normally don't leave reviews but this movie was just sooooo bad in my opinion. I think the plot is utterly boring, there are movies that are bad in a way but it makes them somehow good - well, it definitely does not apply to this one.

I found the acting poor, the whole movie is visually not pleasing either, the only thing that amazed me is how it could pass so many checks to have it released.

I feel like I wasted my time and it's a shame, as a kind advice I suggest you spare yourself some time and avoid it if you can, honestly it's so boring if I wanted to write a spoiler I wouldn't be able to.

However, it may not be available in english language, I still have the idea to write this review.

For me, it was a great entertainment, I watched in a cinema with my friend. It had the vibes, the situation comedies and it can be funny without any swearing or disgusting jokes or situations.

However, in my opinion, if you want to enjoy it, you should be aware of how the socialism/communism worked in Hungary. Many of the jokes and situations are based on these things and it reflect them. So, if you are not really aware of that era, you may not find it funny.

The actors were great, the small jokes, the travesty of the system and the people inside it, especially the ones in higher positions. The whole Balaton vibe in the middle 80's. If you are interested in it and maybe you even lived in it, you will definitely find it funny.

I can definitely recommend it, if you are up to a 90 minutes comic in the cinemas. You are not going to be disappointed.