Jagoda u supermarketu (2003) Reviews

• Romantic Serbian Comedy That Has Aged Very Well.

  effigiebronze2015-06-21

  This is a really funny movie. It really is. An assessment after ten years ( a bit more) is that this is a lightweight comedy with minimal political points that is really very enjoyable. Is it Battleship Potemkin? No, of course not. But it is FUNNY. When it's funny, it is really funny. I laughed a lot in this movie. There is some wordplay that the Western subtitled version misses, of course, but it's still really amusing and at times, sweet. It reminds me of HIGH FIDELITY at times, with it's bringing together people. This is one of my favorite Serbian movies. Oh my god, the grandmother, the old veteran with his Kinder Eggs... the expatriate 'Serb' running an American supermarket in a culture she knows nothing about... The electric-eye doors, the assault on the senses that the Supermarket is! Too funny. Oh: "I'm Falcon, not Chickenhawk!" Funny, funny stuff.

• Don't be too harsh...

  matsavelli2004-08-04

  While this is by no means an incredible film, one must appreciate that it's much better fare than most romantic comedies. I disagree with the perception of the film as a justification for the Milosevic years. In my opinion, it presents the view that the old leaders had their problems, and that people must be careful to ensure that new problems don't develop. It's ridiculous to assume that condemnation of the present necessarily implies glorification of the past. The acting is great, with Jagoda and Marko coming across as absolutely hilarious. The choice of the Clash's "Lost in the Supermarket" was divine, and the brass rendition of it throughout the film adds to the football pitch atmosphere outside of the supermarket. A delight for non-Yugoslav film goers and the more initiated alike.

• parody of antiamericanism and also parody of "patriotistic" American immigrants investing back home

  flopnik2004-11-21

  Good movie. Perfect way of introducing both funny sides of the anti Americanism, and parasitic American immigrant 'investors' in Novi Beograd (not very successful urban idea regarding that part of Belgrade)…resulting in the best possible resolution in the movie. After all political turmoil, the aftermath of free trade, and facelessness of Super-American-Market had to result in something very tragicomic. Fortunately, there's love…perfectly blended the way Kusturica would do. I love this move, and the music, and the entire selection of actors. I personally saw few of those supermarkets, and this movie is like satisfaction. Honestly, I had fun watching this movie. Branka Katic is awesome actress, and if nothing else…you will definitely fall in love watching her performance.

• hilarious film, a great time in the supermarket!

  krend012004-03-11

  Reading the other comments on this film I have to say I might view this film differently if I understood the current socio-political climate in Serbia or the mindsets of the peoples living there. While it had definite moments of social commentary and a few political digs thrown in, I watched this movie primarily as a commentary on what people are willing to go through to fit in and to stand up for the people whom they love. These messages, and the style of the film, are really universal and accessible. It is easy to fall into this film and get caught up in the quirky, somewhat unlikely, and very endearing situations the characters find themselves in. While I can't address the political issues that previous reviewers mentioned, I'm really surprised that (in one review at least) the actors were criticized on their performances. There were no Shakespearian moments or performance of a lifetime here, but all the actors were brilliantly expressive and kept up a live-on-stage vibe the whole way through. The dialog was witty and well delivered; there's a great interaction between the crowd that gathers around the supermarket and the police who are trying to coax out the hostage-taker. So, just what is this film about (no spoilers): Jagoda works at a new American-style supermarket. She doesn't really like her job (we don't blame her). "Just then" a guy with a rifle busts into the supermarket and starts taking hostages. We don't know what's up with this guy, is he crazy? ex-special forces? suicidal? Or all of the above? The "tension" builds up as the police, and a large crowd, gather outside. The situation inside goes from depressing to manic and everything along the way. It's quite a ride towards the final, inevitable showdown, where every character has a hand in the outcome. This film is a quirky story that encourages you to laugh at the ridiculous situations life throws at you.

• Entertaining is the least you could say.

  drzard2006-11-21

  A great mix of satire, slapstick, cheesy romance and sentimentality, this movie uses an unlikely scenario to deal with themes such as westernisation, alienation in modern living, and romantic love. In all fairness, it doesn't really deal with any of them in any thorough way, but who cares? It's entertaining viewing. Its easy-going feel as a film is created by its low budget looking filming and sometimes acting, a feature that works as a plus, as the movie is not meant to be taken too seriously, though there are serious ideas in there. It's more a light hearted satire, for example, as the hostage situation gets underway, a small crowd gathers, soon growing into a large crowd with an uncanny similarity to a crowd of football (soccer) supporters. The makers use this crowd to represent the current popular opinion in Serbia, for example, when the police show up, they are boo-ed and insulted and called American backed puppets, the comedy element is added by the crowd chanting and clapping their insults as though at a game. Hard to explain, hilarious to watch. So in that sense, the movie is as much theatre as it is cinema, with no real attempt to be taken totally seriously. Overall a well rounded if not silly script, I'd recommend this film mostly on its story telling forte.