Day of the Wacko

November. 15,2002      
Rating:
8.1
Trailer Synopsis Cast

It is a bitter story about a middle-aged man, who hates his life and other people, including himself. Adam Miauczynski, the character known from director Marek Koterski's previous films, is a 44 year-old teacher, who reads poetry during school lessons and later goes home swearing and calling his neighbours' names. The worst pain for him is the next 5 minutes of living. He doesn't accept himself and even everyday contacts with others cause his aggression. Though constantly dreaming of a romantic love, he is not bold enough to make his dreams come true. The desperate Miauczynski personalizes our own fears and obsessions, which have become so visible recently.

Marek Kondrat as  Adam Miauczyński
Janina Traczykówna as  matka Adasia
Andrzej Grabowski as  sąsiad Adasia
Michał Koterski as  Sylwuś, syn Adasia
Joanna Sienkiewicz as  była żona Adasia
Monika Donner-Trelińska as  Ela, pierwsza miłość Adasia
Aleksander Bednarz as  sąsiad z dołu
Zbigniew Buczkowski as  dozorca "golący" trawnik pod oknem
Dorota Chotecka as  właścicielka psa w przedziale pociągu
Maria Ciunelis as  wariatka w przedziale pociągu

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Reviews

Unlimitedia
2002/11/15

Sick Product of a Sick System

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SpuffyWeb
2002/11/16

Sadly Over-hyped

... more
Mjeteconer
2002/11/17

Just perfect...

... more
Claysaba
2002/11/18

Excellent, Without a doubt!!

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evabraunscervix
2002/11/19

This movie offers nothing to its audience. The user comments on here paint an overwhelmingly positive picture of this film, but it is worthless. "Day of the Wacko" lacks intelligences and puts no faith in the intelligence of the viewer. Every character in this movie is an exaggerated caricature, especially the main character. This is supposed to be a character study of Adam and his dysfunctions, but there is absolutely nothing to latch onto. His problems are centered on the fact that he has OCD and has to carefully measure his every move, but instead of a detailed, subtle examination of a complex person, we're given a stereotype that falls somewhere between Psych 101 and a cartoon. If this wasn't bad enough, the audience is further insulted by the fact that nearly every moment of this film is filled with Adam's narration that explains his motivations for everything in the most simplified terms. As a novel, the narration would lack subtlety and depth; as a film technique, it's unforgivable. As for the supposed humor, none of it works. Half of the jokes come from awkward and unnecessary vulgarity (and mind you, my favorite director is John Waters), and the other half are intended to stem from the character, only there is no actual character so there are no actual jokes. All the exchanges between Adam and the people he meet are forced and unrealistic. Don't look to this film for insight, entertainment, or social commentary. If you want a shocking satire on modern angst, check out something like Happiness or Man Bites Dog instead.

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Arek M.
2002/11/20

"Day of Wacko" is in my opinion the best ever Polish movie. And I'm surely NOT exaggerating. Non-Poles who are not interested in or have no idea about Polish culture and realities will probably not get half of the film, but I still recommend it to anyone who's open minded. This is a story about a well-educated and intelligent teacher in his middle-ages, who can't stand stupidity, ignorance, his neighbours, and generally everyone and everything around him. If you've seen "Falling Down" (1993) with Michael Douglas, which is by the way another film I'd recommend, you'll get the point. However, no plagiarism was used here. The main character hates himself as well, mainly for the lack of inspiration in writing and still being dependant on his mother. The whole movie is presented within the monologues he has in his head, in many cases dirty ones. And by that I mean many vulgarisms, which at some point may get repelling. Although containing some comic parts, this film is depressing, especially if you think about the man's tragedy, because his life can be called like that. If you try to understand his situation, see why he's frustrated, and why there are so many negative feelings in him, you'll probably reach the point in which you'll feel down. There are many Polish stereotypes, system faults, and absurd presented and in some way laughed out. But then again, you have a depressing feeling of not being able to do anything about it. I really recommend watching this movie to anyone, especially to those who have some mixed feelings about the world. If it's possible, try to talk to any Polish person around, so he/she would explain some of the things that may be typical for Polish society and not common at all in other cultures. I just hope the English translation of this film is good...General note: 10/10 and I really mean it.

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Dominika
2002/11/21

I personally disagree with the last comment from Vancouver. I myself came to Canada just a few years ago and I feel that the movie Dzien Swira is an interesting and comical take on the serious issue of depression. The fact that the protagonist uses unusual and sometimes unethical ways to deal with his anger and anxiety makes the movie more realistic. When dealing with inner turmoil people do not always make right choices, they often push people away. As viewers watch the movie, they begin to feel a connection to this lonely and depressed man. Maybe the Vancouver viewer really did not understand the "poet's neurotic excretions" as she says, for she misses the main point of the movie, its message. The fact that this man is Polish is just that ..his ethnicity is not the point of the movie but rather his personal struggle. I do not feel that there were so many stereotypes, because as many of us Poles know the writer of this movie plays the son in it. That in itself breaks the mold. Simple minded individuals watch dzien swira and do no analyze it. One must watch and think about why he does he do the things he does. As a polka, I feel this movie is not only very funny but one that leaves the audience thinking K*rwa.

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too-6
2002/11/22

On the contrary to many previous critiques of "Dzien Swira" ("Day of the Wacko"), I would like to add my opinion which I believe is rather objective and certainly true for all who understand the pillar of it's meaning and purpose of director's view. This movie apart Koterski's location is widely describing human social habits and it's showing how seeking of life's purpose might poison social behavior. Marek Koterski definitely outreaches "Nic Smiesznego" ("Nothing funny") vision in Wacko. Every single scene including those containing dirty words and actions is describing how predictable people are under defined circumstances and how dumb we might be even while having so much knowledge and theoretical understanding of feelings. Everlasting seeking for perfection clearly illustrated by dreaming of Ela, main character frustration on payday or subordination and blind following alternated by opposing to his mother are just few examples. Adam, sky high above all his neighbors or travel mates is probably being seen as recluse but he doesn't see his problem, he is concentrated on "me, myself and I". This movie is about loneliness and warns viewers to not to elevate walls separating them from society. When watching "Day of the Wacko" with this point of view in mind you might be surprised how much of Wacko you have in yourself. And it's deep deserves 10.

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