Mężczyźni w nadziei

I consider myself a simple viewer who enjoys the small things, but how am I supposed to enjoy a film that sells something as morally decrepit as a noncommittal comedy? The moment the protagonists start to question their conscience and look for a way out, there is a catharsis in the restaurant. That solves the situation in a truly shrewd way, but most importantly, it DEFENDS all their behavior because it's actually the best thing for everyone, instead of them feeling any shame. The same goes for Vejdělek and the smiling crowds of satisfied viewers seem to be swept away after leaving the movie theater. (13.02.2012)

I went as a man in hope and left as a man in dismay from the fact that, despite his wide experience, Vejdělek doesn’t know what he actually wants. Whether this is a comedy, a drama, a tragicomedy, a satire, a farce, a relationships movie, or what... And each new segment is a new style like “everybody gets a go". And although each segment is not at all bad in itself (mainly the purely comic or purely dramatic), the end result is nothing; nothing good, nothing bad. (29.08.2011)

I'm very pleasantly surprised and I dare say I haven't been so nicely entertained by a Czech film in a few years. Everything revolves a good script, which is at times unlikely, but has no dull spots. The acting duo of Macháček and Polívka is a perfect combination. And the new starlets Kerekes and Hřebíčková were at times more than just nice backdrops. Simona Stašová's departure was quite a shock and the whole hall roared. Nice music, good humor... I'm satisfied, so I'm re-evaluating (5 stars). (08.10.2011)

Vejdělek, Renč or Poledňáková... all of them have been making identical fairy tales for adults lately. Brand - to make everything pleasing to the eye. Actresses/dolls, rooms like from a magazine and some sort of plot, so that there is a reason to change the dolls in those rooms often. In this case, add a little bit of inner Prague and the result is complete. What, you don't like that? (19.10.2014)

After a very long time, I gave Czech cinema a chance and it turned out as tragically as expected. I naturally expected a made-for-TV feeling – that's the standard in Czech productions. I also expected weak and stiff performances from some of the actors – that's also normal. But I haven't seen such a terribly bad adaptation of a screenplay in a long time. It could have been a decent film on its level (after all, Polívka knows how to act), one that tackles a sensitive social issue in a slightly light-hearted way, but instead, it's a ridiculous farce where everything is good and nothing is wrong. I wonder how the director functions in his personal life. (25.02.2012)

Jiří Vejdělek needs a proper script, Bolek Polívka needs a proper non-clown role... Jiří Macháček needs a good slap. Men in Hope took the templated characters, which I was able to tolerate in Women in Temptation, to absurdly amoral proportions that I couldn't stand - the men are shown only as stupid idiots, the women as stupid "sluts" (I can't think of a more polite term). The good jokes are few, the stupid ones are almost shameful, and the message that infidelity is fine and solves everything is garbage. However, judging by the good time audiences are having, it seems that the earnings of this film will be decent, and I'm almost afraid of what comes next. Unconscious children? (18.08.2011)

Czech comedy has long been struggling to fit the requirements of the genre, and this film is no exception. I’m not a huge fan of Bolek Polívka, his increasingly darker nose is giving me the creeps, but his presence here was nicely balanced by Jiří Macháček. Similarly, Petra Hřebíčková was balanced out by Vica Kerekes. So, what it came down to was the plot which was pretty decent most of the time but it wasn't without flaws. (28.12.2019)

One of the few Czech films that I saw in the last year, and probably the only one that I went to see in the cinema. That's what you get when you drag your girlfriend to movies she doesn't really enjoy. But in the end, I actually didn't regret it. I had seen "Women in Temptation" before and I liked the film. I laughed, it didn't leave any lasting impression, and I could move on. It's similar with this comedy, which can bring you joy when you come across it on TV a few times. I read quite a few reviews of "Men in Temptation" criticizing it for being simple-minded, for giving Czech people what they want. Sexist humor, nice breasts, and a normal story. Well, but when the breasts are so nice?! Vica Kerekes is a naturally gifted woman and I also have a weakness for redheads. Now I'll find out if my brunette girlfriend reads this. It suits her and Macháček, the guy, is envious. Female viewers envy Vica. But both male and female viewers laugh at it. And that's good. A light film with a slight tragedy that surprises a little. Sure, it's just a comedy, it wants to make people laugh. That's what it's about, right? I would burn those silly criticisms claiming it's not art. Of course, it's not art and it doesn't pretend to be art. It's a well-made comedy and that's what matters. And a damn good-earning comedy. Leave the art films to Sláma and others like him. By the way, what's the audience turnout for his films? More: http://www.filmovy-denik.cz/2012/06/past-na-zraloka-21-jump-street.html (20.02.2013)