This much loved comedy is Jiří Menzel’s third feature-length adaptation of a novel by Bohumil Hrabal, drawing from the legendary Czech author’s memories of childhood and the dawning of modernity in the small provincial town of Nymburk.
Life there is centred equally around the town brewery and adoration of the radiant Maryška (the magnificent Magda Vášáryová), whose earthy beauty and ready hospitality is enjoyed by all and sundry, notwithstanding her marriage to uptight brewery manager Francin (Jiří Schmitzer), who is being driven to the end of his tether by a prolonged visit from his loud, endlessly discursive brother, Uncle Pepin (Jaromír Hanzlík).
With typical Hrabalian ribaldry, frequent slapstick, and a star-studded cast, Cutting it Short is a delight from start to finish.
