It's Better to Be Healthy and Wealthy than Poor and Sick

September. 11,1992      
Rating:
6.4
Trailer Synopsis Cast

A satiric tragi-comedy about two women and their lover Robert who is an emigrant that keeps coming back. This film shows chaotic post-communist Europe after the fall of totalitarianism. Two opposite characters, women, meet during the Velvet Revolution in November 1989. Intellectual dissident Nona and a Communist secret police boss’ mistress Ester. They meet at an anti-regime demonstration and become friends. They don’t want anything to do with politics, both want to get married and have kids, but also get rich. Crazy plans and risky attempts to realize their shared dreams land them in many sticky situations in the post-revolution chaos. Too much money gets in the way of the power of friendship.

Deana Horváthová as  Nona
Juraj Kukura as  Robert
Ľubomír Paulovič as  Viliam
Pavel Nový as  Vekslák

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Reviews

TinsHeadline
1992/09/11

Touches You

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Phonearl
1992/09/12

Good start, but then it gets ruined

... more
CrawlerChunky
1992/09/13

In truth, there is barely enough story here to make a film.

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Caryl
1992/09/14

It is a whirlwind of delight --- attractive actors, stunning couture, spectacular sets and outrageous parties. It's a feast for the eyes. But what really makes this dramedy work is the acting.

... more
NateManD
1992/09/15

Jakubisko's "It's better to be Wealthy and Healthy, than Poor and Ill", is a cinematic joy from start to finish. Often it is described as being the Thelma & Louise of Eastern Europe. Sort of, but it's more of a slapstick tragicomedy with Surreal elements. The Story takes place in 1989, around the fall of communism in Czechoslovakia. Nona the main character is Slovak, and she befriends Ester who is Czech. Nona is pregnant and abandoned by her politician boyfriend, because he doesn't want a kid. The other man she sees comes around from time to time, but avoids commitment. Ester also has bad luck with her communist activist boyfriend. Immediately the two ladies hit it off and become roommates, but survival is tough in a post cold war country; so they resort to crime. Their next door neighbor is an old nun, who stops bye to check on them and sometimes even to party with them too. Nona and Ester have many misadventures and road trips. They get involved with stealing, prostitution, stripping or whatever means necessary to survive. Usually they trick men by stealing their wallets, and running off without ever having sex with them (so their not really prostitutes, but more of thieves) Things get better for them when they rob a truck driver, who sells people broken electronics from the black market. He has millions, which they take from him at gunpoint. From that point on their lives change both for the better and worse. Of course the film is funny, sad, surreal and all heart at the same time, as of most eastern European comedies. With colorful characters, dreamlike images and political satire, Jakubisko has been compared to Fellini and Emir Kusturica. So the film is kind of like Thelma & Louise, but more so for the oppressed, poor and struggling working class. This film is so much fun, and is the last film in Jakubisko's Trilogy of happiness. If you can find a copy, your guaranteed a unique movie experience. 10/10

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