Propozycja

A bloody morality play based on a script by Nick Cave. I'm very fond of this musician, poet and occasional Renaissance screenwriter, and as the splendidly grizzled and dirty Guy Pearce rides through the impressive Australian landscape accompanied by a whispering voice, it's impossible not to feel the touch of Cave's poetic soul. Even a few interesting dialogues indicated who the author was, but the story needed some more work. It is too simple and predictable. After the final slaughter I felt absolute emptiness, unpleasant feelings and no need to watch this unusual bloodbath again. Still, I recommend it, such a rough and unconventional film hasn't been in our cinemas for a long time and it's worth making up your own mind about it. (14.09.2006)

The perfect atmosphere, great actors playing ambiguous characters, the captivating music, the beautiful cinematography... are all covered by a simple story written according to the most relaxed Western templates. The credits end and the feedback resonance is nowhere to be found. (27.05.2009)

A balladic western, whose atmosphere recalls Jarmusch's much more famous film Dead Man. I won't ponder over which one is better, Jarmusch's film is certainly more layered, but both of them made an impression on me. I have written multiple times that I don't have a positive relationship with westerns as a genre, but if films in this genre were as good as this one, I essentially wouldn't have any issues with them. Spaghetti westerns once brought entertainment back to a dying genre, and experimenters like Hillcoat or Jarmusch brought them a great added value in the form of quality. The movie combines balladic storytelling about a ruthless conflict between a gang of desperados and a police chief who wants to bring civilization and functioning law to the remote corners, with naturalistic and even brutal moments, sparing neither blood nor intense scenes full of violence. It also certainly avoids the usual mistake of having black-and-white characters. Here, everyone is more or less dirty, and good, if it is good at all, wins only by chance. The film is also interesting in its portrayal of the detrimental character of spreading European civilization at the expense of indigenous inhabitants. Overall impression: 90%. (23.06.2012)

The dirty atmosphere, with flies circling and buzzing over it, makes the perfect frame for this picture about revenge. Cave’s melancholic story is full of big thoughts, strong emotions and sand, grafting a western classic onto the land down-under so boldly that it makes it difficult for the viewer to catch his breath. (02.10.2011)

An unusually bloody and raw film with uncompromising main characters and unique aesthetics. The music and some of the thoughts of the main heroes are also peculiar. Unfortunately, in terms of the screenplay, it’s a very simple film that will not leave your mind only thanks to a few brutal scenes. (28.08.2010)

I've always liked Nick Cave as a singer but I had no idea about his other talents. He really pulled off the script to this movie. The plot is absolutely unpredictable, the acting is great, and a special mention goes to the performance of the fly-tamer and his ensemble. What the Australian flies did in the film was simply a treat. I'm also very grateful for the fact that smells don't carry over along with the picture and sound. This film would probably have brought tears to my eyes. The only thing that slightly annoyed me was the tedious wandering through the country. Otherwise, I fully enjoyed the film. Sure, it was raw, but extremely high quality. (24.07.2017)

Director John Hillcoat and screenwriter, writer, and musician Nick Cave are a proven duo who serve us films that can definitely not be called bad. They have already made three films, two of which are well known here. Their debut "Ghosts... of the Civil Dead" is not as well known, but their second collaboration, the film "Proposition," was a success. The duo finds understanding primarily with critics, but commercial success is always difficult to achieve. True, the film "Lawless" is different from their previous films and was paid for without any problems. But let's stick with the film "Proposition," which is my first introduction to this duo. I know John Hillcoat so far as the director of the film "The Road," where he did well compared to the brilliant original. "Proposition" is purely Nick Cave's own work, which can be seen in the great soundtrack that took my breath away several times. Of course, in a good way. I know Nick Cave as the author of the book "Death of Bunny Munro," which is a story that influenced my writing quite a bit, especially in terms of sexual scenes. When written well, they can serve the story excellently and do not have to be taken only as excitement, as an attempt to attract male readers/viewers. Eroticism is a powerful weapon, not just in the bedroom. But "Proposition" - I don't understand why it wasn't translated - is from a completely different barrel. It's a western, but definitely not a classic western. The story is relatively simple. There are three siblings, with the oldest one being a proper scoundrel. The middle one has a choice. Nothing will happen to him and the youngest if he kills his older brother within a week. If not, the youngest brother will die. It's a difficult ultimatum to swallow. But the middle brother agrees. This is the proposition from the film's title. The plot is quite simple, what do you say? That doesn't change the fact that the film is very well done and works as a modern western. You don't even have to be in the Wild West to understand how brutal life can be sometimes. Life doesn't treat either brother very kindly, but in the end, it's always family that solves the problems. Strong, bloody scenes, a good story, and excellent music. "Proposition" left an impression on me. More: http://www.filmovy-denik.cz/2012/12/motocyklove-deniky-proposition-v-zajeti.html (02.03.2013)