As much as I would like to say that I can fully appreciate Kieslowski's genius film-making, I am afraid that is impossible. Kieslowski tries so hard to makes the stories atypical that it is difficult to relate to them. That aside, I find that watching each fifty minute segment takes me into the darkest recesses of my mind. It is not merely "deep" thoughts; I find these recesses to be disturbing and undesirable.
Each story brings the viewer to the examination of lives falling into ruin. Decalogue number three shows a man leaving his family on Christmas Eve because of a suicidal ex-lover. Kieslowski shows at the end that the man is keeping the Sabbath by preventing this woman from suicide despite his own discomfort. Though not trying to be scrutinizing plausibility, I feel what bothers me in this whole scenario is the manner in which this "spiritual act" is carried out. The protagonist obviously recognizes that his ex is lying to him, yet one could not say that his actions were altogether pure. He enters her apartment and proceeds to almost kiss her. At that point, it is also clearly shown he was not sure whether the ex is a complete liar, because their "moment" is interrupted by a knock at the door- is it her husband? No, it is just caroling children.
The moral question is what bothers me the most about Krieslowski's films. Do we honestly think that the taxi-driver putting himself in a compromising position is the only way to save his ex? Or do we think that he acted from completely pure and wise position knowing exactly her thoughts without any thought of the flame he once held for her? I find this rather implausible and difficult to watch, especially in context of loyalty issues and deception.
I felt that the "Honor your parents" decalogue episode to be the most disturbing of all. Indeed, it is a curious situation, yet it insulted my better sensibility. If this story from Krieslowski was a common experience then it would bring into question any family that adopts children. A man would have to be sick-minded to even give off any kind of indication that the relationship with his daughter, biological or not, was more than that of the protector-father. It seems to me that Krieslowski likes to try and lead the viewer to the most twisted thoughts of man and leave him there to contemplate those thoughts. Putting aside the magnanimous side of life like trust, honor, love and purity, Krieslowski wants to focus on thoughts that entertain the absence of these qualities.
It leaves me with a bad feeling.
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