First film response: Amanda

I really enjoyed “The Empties,” the first film we watched in class, and was very excited about it being a Czech film that took place in Prague. I thought the humor used in the film was most notable and very accurate to the feeling of the Czech people. The way in which the movie is filmed allows for the story to be relatable to all, and for everyone to feel empathy for the main character, even though he has so many flaws. The main character, was very likeable and immediately drew you into the story of his life. At first when he quits and starts taking other jobs it just seems as though he is fighting his age, specifically in becoming a bicycle messenger, but then we quickly learn that it is far beyond this reason and is affecting every aspect of his life.
He has such a huge disconnection between his home and work life, and he seems to identify himself as a worker more than someone who works. He values the title of ‘bread winner’ above that of, ‘husband’ and does not see the overlap in the two roles. He not only keeps things from his wife, he acts incredibly different at home than he does in the workplace. When he takes a job at the grocery store he is very friendly, plays match-maker, and asks everyone about their day, yet when he comes home he seems to turn off that part of his personality. He takes his job very seriously, being the man that provides for conversation and connection with strangers, but ignores his own wife.
He had no problem constantly fantasizing about other women and even taking serious steps toward cheating on his wife, while she expressed her despair to him at night about his distance and loss of attraction to her. It seems that in the past this is something that has brought a lot of tension in their marriage, and yet he continually brushes her concern off, and focuses on his independence rather than their life together. It seems that he is unable to see past his fear of losing his individuality in the world, to see how great of an impact he truly has. It wasn’t until his ability to control everything around him is challenged, in the form of his wife’s German student, that he finally realizes the effects of his choice to compartmentalize his life.
One of the most interesting things I found about the film was large use of symbols. His initial job is a teacher, and he quits when he can’t stand how much his life is turning a new direction, and he feels as though he can’t get his own life together, let alone teach others. Throughout the story, Josef tried to fill his life with roles and concepts instead of actual meaning, which is why the metaphor of the empty bottles plays such a large role. The introduction of the bottle machine in the grocery store serves as a symbol of his complete loss of control, and his realization that he is being replaced in the workplace, and that he could be replaced in his marriage.
In The final shots of the movie, the imagery of the balloon ride was wonderful and a great way to culminate all that the story was trying to express. I couldn’t think of a more perfect way to convey not only the freedom, but the trust and work that is necessary for a relationship to work. When they landed holding onto each other, it was an incredibly romantic and wonderful way to illustrate the necessity for connection and quality relationships in order to have a meaningful life, and that in the end, this is the only thing that will remain constant in a constantly changing world.

>>I don't think I was too harsh in judging Josef's actions throughout the movie, though others may disagree... Either way I feel I need to continue the trend of quoting of rappers that are clearly very applicable to our discussion.. maybe Josef listened to some Biggie before he went to meet his mistress?: "I love it when you call me big poppa, throw your hands in the air if yous a true player" easst coasssst!