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Sunday, November 9th, 2025

Closely Watched Trains

In the Spring, a young man's fancy lightly turns to thoughts of love, sex, and those

damn Nazis. The hero of this particular journey is the peculiarly innocent Miloš Hrma

(Václav Neckár), whose sardonic reflection of his antecedents speaks to his inherited

antiheroic qualities and his noncommittal curiosity. Yet Miloš portrays an endearing

young man who has no need to question his role in the social order; instead, he must

grapple with how he measures as a man.

Set in the last throes of WWII, German-occupied Czechoslovakia, Director Menzel

brings forth Czechoslovak New Wave’s unique take on a coming-of-age film.

Underneath the comedic satire, the film offers profound insights into themes of love,

desire, and the absurdities of war with its impact on ordinary village life.

There are several standout performances among the cast, including a young Jitka

Zelenohorská’s portrayal of train station telegraphist Zdenička. Her irreverent, slightly

but not completely coquettish testimony at a farcical inquisition is a genuine scene

steal. Likewise, we must determine the propriety of laughing at the ridiculous local

Nazi apologist, Councillor Zedníček (Vlastimil Brodský) being so absorbed with a

moderate scandal that he is oblivious to the subversive plot of sabotage literally

playing out in front of him. Or shall we suffer the slings and arrows of outrageous

fortune with Miloš as he steps forward to take arms against a sea of troubles, and by

opposing end them.

Menzel brings forth this understated approach to film, wherein he allows the setting,

the scoring, and the characters to anchor the story in an absurd surrealism. We can

marvel at Menzel's wonderfully composed shots, but we must also marvel at Menzel’s

choice to aim his strongest satire not at the occupying Germans, but at the homegrown

Nazis like Zedníček.

Patricia Sanchez Webb (Apologies to Alfred, Lord Tennyson and Shakespeare)

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