My Sweet Little Village

This endearing comedy by Jiri Menzel (CLOSELY WATCHED TRAINS) chronicles the colorful characters and absurd events in a Czechoslovakian village. With all its faults and foibles, the small town is made to look like a paradise; the big city of Prague is purgatory. The film centers on the friendly relationship between two truck drivers who work as partners. Otik is the Stan Laurel-like buffoon whose big ears and constant gaffes regularly grate the nerves of Pavel, his Oliver Hardy sidekick. Other town residents include a doctor who talks his patients out of their symptoms rather than prescribing them any treatment, and a new bride who used Otik's house to secretly dally with a boyfriend. This modest but very entertaining film uses a low-key, simple style that perfectly matches its rural setting and unsophisticated characters.