The Dark House

The Dark House sees a man pack up and leave after the death of his wife. He stumbles across an old farm house where a father and daughter live. This is no simple narrative though. Running parallel to this is the same man taking police through the scene of a suggested crime. Is this man a witness? A suspect? A victim? The film gradually unfolds to reveal his story. This sounds engaging on its own but there is yet another layer. Political aspects may have some control over the police and how they want this case to turn out. The police aren't exactly in the moment, talking about their doctors, having snowball fights, blowing up condoms to hit each other with, or just enjoying the vodka. There's certainly a lot of satire that I probably missed, not being polish, but this is still a well plotted and beautifully shot thriller.

Acting, directing, editing shine as a form of art in this beautiful movie. Actually the story is really simple. But, when telling of this story is combined with good acting and clever editing, brings a bright movie. Development of the plot is very clever, and teases your intelligence.

It's dark and heavy, especially on the second half, makes it difficult to watch, but,the movie sticks you to your seat. Political issues are brightly inserted through the story. Which i like the most is the movie is not irritating you with the concern of political messages. They are just smoothly spread over the plot.

And be prepared for a surprise ending. Just loved this movie!

This, like Wojciech Smarzowski's previous outing, is an exploration of the side of Poland that many film makers don't want to show. Neither the plot nor the characters offer any hope that there'll be a happy ending, and it is easy to find yourself feeling suffocated in the cesspool of corruption and self-interest that the film presents.

The story follows the investigation into the murder of a family on a farm in 1978. This is used to highlight the ineptitude and indifference of the local police and the thick coat of corruption which stains everybody involved in the story.As with 'Wesele' ['the Wedding'], the director's previous feature, the story is fictional but is very firmly based on fact.

It is uncompromising, compelling and very well-made, and is suited for those who want something eye-opening and gritty.

I've decided to write this short review when I saw the previous one.

What you need to understand before watching this movie is that it's about difficult and dark times in Polish history - before the Soviet Union collapse, when Poland was under it's heel.

It's not meant to be funny despite some other reviewers. This is a movie about good people making difficult choices, about people without hope and about people trying to make most of bad situation. It shows how ruthless and corrupt the government was and how one couldn't win with it if he tried.

It's not a movie for everyone. Even the younger generations of Polish might have a problem understanding this film as they can't relate to the passed times. But what is shown here was the reality in many countries of former Eastern Block and is true in many others even now.

As the title says its really bad, some of it is funny. It is a polish film i don't really know what to make of some of the things i seen in this film. Apparently it takes roughly 8 police and 2 civilians and a witness to examine a crime scene. Doesn't help that the police are swilling vodka like its going out of style, also one of the cops has a baby during this movie. None of these things tie the storyline together or really have anything to do with anything really. It was entertaining to see drunk people/cops get smashed and fight each other and act like general retards. The murders are equally silly and the people doing that part were generally unbelievable as the police. I'd stay away from this movie unless you like watching drunken people on screen acting like tards