Empties – Vratné lahve (2007)

Directed by: Jan Sverak | 100 minutes | drama, comedy | Actors: Zdenek Sverák, Tatiana Vilhelmová, Daniela Kolárová, Jirí Machácek, Nella Boudová, Jan Budar, Pavel Ladovsky, Filip Renc, Jirí Schmitzer, Ladislaw Smoljak, Miroslav Táborsky, Vera Tichánková, Ondrej Vetchy, Jan Vlasák

The film ‘Empties’ (‘Vratné lahve’) is very disarming. The screenplay was written by the director’s father, Zdenek Sverák. This father also impressively plays the lead role in this film, that of Josef Tkaloun. He is believable in his role as an elderly man searching for his destiny, all the while trying and learning to deal with his fears. Such as the fear of old age, fear of death, but also the fear of being sidelined, of being left out of life. The style of ‘Empties’ is very refreshing and is dressed with a smile.

Josef wants to be as strong as a youngster, but he doesn’t always succeed. He won’t let it go, however, and soon he’s looking for a new challenge. His open-minded, open view of the world is also heart-warming. He greets everyone friendly, is ready for everyone and nothing is too much for him. And he never does this insincerely or against his will. He is simply optimistic and enjoys the contacts he has. The fact that a little white lie is in order now and then suits him well. However, his fantasies and daydreaming make him very human. And in the film you can see the fruits that he reaps from his attitude to life and wisdom. He is widely respected and treated with kindness. But (technical) progress is also inevitable in his life.

The storyline in ‘Empties’ is simple. Hardly anything can be said about this without revealing anything. Moreover, the freshness of the film is most noticeable when there are no expectations yet. The dialogues are strong and impressive. Hilarious are the lies of his ex-colleague who is dating Josef’s daughter. Josef’s bickering with his wife is very recognizable, but so is the true love that exists between them. In the Czech Republic, all records of visitor numbers have been broken, the film was an outright hit. ‘Empties’ is all complete and finished, and will make you look forward to seeing the next Czech film. Very nice.