Redwarmin This movie is the proof that the world is becoming a sick and dumb place

Merolliv I really wanted to like this movie. I feel terribly cynical trashing it, and that's why I'm giving it a middling 5. Actually, I'm giving it a 5 because there were some superb performances.

Aneesa Wardle The story, direction, characters, and writing/dialogue is akin to taking a tranquilizer shot to the neck, but everything else was so well done.

Roxie The thing I enjoyed most about the film is the fact that it doesn't shy away from being a super-sized-cliche;

Jackson Booth-Millard This film from the former Czechoslovakia is one I found in the book of 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die, I had no idea what to expect, only clue was the easy to work out title, but it was rated well. Basically set during World War II, mild-mannered Slovak carpenter Anton "Tóno" Brtko (Jozef Kroner) is offered the opportunity to take over the shop for sewing notions for elderly Jewish woman Rozália Lautmannová (Oscar and Golden Globe nominated Ida Kamińska), who due to being partially is unaware there is a war going on. The shop takeover is part of the enactment of an Aryanization regulation in the town, Tóno tries to explain to the oblivious Mrs. Lautmannová what is going on, he will supervisor, Slovak store owner Imrich Kuchár (Martin Hollý, Sr.) explains to him that the store is less than profitable, Lautmannová relies on donations. The amiable Brtko is offered a weekly payment by the Jewish community if he does not give up the store, he accepts, and lets the old woman think he is her nephew who has come to help. The relationship between Tóno and Mrs. Lautmannová, until the entire Jewish community is rounded up by the authorities for transport, Tóno is conflicted whether to hand them the old woman or hide her. Mrs. Lautmannová finally becomes aware of the massacre and persecution of people who share her religious beliefs, she panics, to try and silence her Tóno accidentally kills her, realising and devastated by what he has done, in the end he hangs himself. Also starring Frantisek Zvarík as Markus Kolkocký and Hana Slivková as Evelyna Brtková. Kaminska is fantastic as the elderly Jewish woman with the little shop full of string and buttons, and Kroner is splendid as the humble carpenter, their relationship is filled with comedic moments, but it being in the war there were bound to be tragic scenes as well, I will admit I lost my way a little in places, but overall it is a worthwhile Second World War drama. It won the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film. Good!

atlasmb Those who did not live in Europe during WWII tend to have questions about what really happened during those years of Nazi influence. How can a society allow the atrocities to happen? How much did the citizenry know of the death camps and the atrocities? What psychology was at work that would allow someone like Hitler to ascend to power?Although we may not receive answers to all our questions in one film, "The Shop on Main Street" is one of a number of films that help explain. The shop in question is owned by an older Jewish lady. It is situated in a small town that is nothing special. Use of the term "Main Street" lets us know that this is supposed to be a typical street, a representative street.The story takes place during the time that nationalism and anti-Semitism are becoming synonymous in the region. Opinions that might have existed for many years are now able to be voiced in the mainstream and have even become the voice of the government.Much of the film is viewed from the perspective of Tony Brtko, a gentile who has been given the opportunity to assist the elderly shop owner. He is a simple man--one who, perhaps, would rather not contemplate questions of political philosophy or confront questions of allegiance. But such is his lot when the authorities begin to round up the town's Jews.Through the windows of the shop, which is located right on the town square, he is able to view the "outside" world as it changes before his eyes. Questions of morality are thrust upon him.The single aspect of this film that I like the most is the director's use of the camera. It gives us a POV, it moves through a window and gives us both the inside and outside views of happenings, it lingers on objects, giving them importance and making them the focus of tension, allowing us to consider what we have seen before the story continues. It wanders sometimes, seemingly making an inventory of the surroundings, perhaps following Tony's eyes as he considers his options as his options become fewer and fewer. Like most good films, it allows the camera to show us rather than have the dialogue explain to us. Note how it sometimes follows the dog going on with his "doggy life"*.This is an excellent film. Its ending is a little ambiguous, allowing the viewer to make his own interpretation or to ask questions of himself. It is worth seeing twice.*reference to Musee des Beaux Arts, by W. H. Auden.

azfad This is one of the most emotionally powerful movies i have ever seen and I have no idea why isn't more well-known as it it should be. For me it carries more of a punch than 'Schindler's List' and in terms of anti-war films it is possibly the finest i have seen. I love the fact that the main character is just an everyday, little man just trying to get by who, over the course of the film gets provoked into action and not a 'hero' by any typical standards. The film has a down-to-earth tragic beauty that just really captures one's attention and the whole movie is utterly gripping and captivating.Amazing performances by the two main characters and a climax that just left me speechless - i can't recommend it highly enough. One of my top 10 movies ever made.

ilovetoseethemovie I have seen this movie at 2005 World Film's festival in Thailand on last October. I have to admit that the title of this movie was out of my interest at first. Moreover, I hadn't known anything about this movie so far.After having finished seeing Obchod na korze, I got by far more than I bargained for. The movie itself is really touching and moving, especially masterful in its plot of depicting grass-root citizens under the influence of Nazism control. Ida Kaminska is also fantastic and superb in portraying her role as Rozalie Lautmann. She was nominated Best Actress in leading role for Oscar that year, but failed to get Oscar's nod. I quite wonder why, among other nominees. Most importantly, the last scene that Ida Kaminska holding an umbrella while her other hand holding Jozef Króner's hand, walking down together on the street is totally excellent. It is one of the best ending scenes and one of best Holocaust films I have seen in my life.Undoubtedly, I give it 10.