This movie evokes to perfection a time, a spirit, even a country (Czechoslovakia) that no longer exist. It's perhaps the most Godardian film among those not directed by the then innovative French movie maker Jean-Luc Godard. It is full of abrupt cuts, hand-held shots, dialog obviously improvised, and so forth. But Forman's humorous tone is quite far away from Une Femme est Une Femme, or Bande À Part. His background is the neo-realist heritage of everyday topics, non-professional actors, and social concern. (Godard, let me remind you, went from rightist anarchist to Maoist wannabe sharkopath, from pioneering cinematic language to self- indulgent mimic.) Forman's subsequent comedies - namely Loves of a Blonde and Taking Off, were better structured - but Peter & Pavla, almost half a century later, turned into a cute retrospective cameo.

Anyone who has seen the early films of Milos Forman will know that, contrary to popular belief here in the West, they really did have a sense of humour in Eastern Europe and that "The Loves of a Blonde" and "The Fireman's Ball" are still among his very best films. "Black Peter", which he made in 1964, was his first feature length film and while not quite in the same class as the films that followed it, is still something of a small gem.

Heavily influenced by both the British New Wave and Italian Neo-Realism it's a lovely comedy about a young man starting on his first job as something of a store detective, a job he's woefully not cut out for, as well as a great coming-of-age film, a brilliant satire on bureaucracy and a superb picture of life in the Czech Republic in the 1960's. Peter himself, the boy in question, is beautifully played by 19 year old Ladislav Jakim making his film debut but then Forman gets great performances from all of his largely non-professional cast, (as his Hollywood career showed, he was one of the great actor's directors). This might be a 'small' film in the Forman canon but it's a joy from start to finish.

This brought to mind CLOSELY WATCHED TRAINS, another early Czech New Wave film about a teenage apprentice who's none too excited about his work. Both are coming-of-age comedies with some moments of awkward teen romance. This film (Forman's first feature) actually predates Menzel's, and has more of a freeform, anecdotal structure. Although not explicitly a commentary on Communism, Petr's distaste for spying on customers clearly has some political implications. The film has a gentle, naturalistic pace with scenes that have a nice attention to detail. Ladislav Jakim struck me as a fine young actor, and I liked how the rival boy gradually developed into a more sympathetic character (particularly during the dance scene, which was my favorite part of the movie). Jan Vostrcil, the wonderful lead in Firemen's Ball, perhaps lays it on a little thick as the overbearing father, but it's a somewhat humorous performance. Although the comedy is quite mellow and subdued, there are a few laugh out loud moments. Unfortunately, the Facets DVD sports an ugly transfer, and woefully incomplete subtitles. Entire swaths of dialogue went by without translation.