'Dekalog' is a towering achievement and a televisual masterpiece that puts many feature films to shame, also pulling off a concept of great ambition brilliantly. Although a big admirer of Krzysztof Kieślowski (a gifted director taken from us too early), and who has yet to be disappointed by him, to me 'Dekalog' and 'Three Colours: Red' sees him at his best.
All of 'Dekalog's' episodes have so many great things, and it is an example of none of the lesser episodes (the weakest being the still very good Episode 8) being bad. This is testament to the high quality of 'Dekalog' as an overall whole and how brilliant the best episodes are. Episode 10 is a magnificent conclusion, it's very different in tone and somewhat of the odd one out in that sense but executes it brilliantly, the slight lack of finality being its only draw-back (but that is so minor it's a non-issue).
Every single one of 'Dekalog's' episodes are exceptionally well made. The production values in Episode 10 are as ever atmosphere-enhancing, beautiful and haunting to look at and fascinating. Many of the images are impossible to forget. The direction is quietly unobtrusive, intelligently paced and never too heavy, and the music is suitably intricate.
The themes and ideals are used to full potential, and the characters and their relationships and conflicts feel so real and emotionally resonant without being heavy-handed. Despite being based around one of the ten commandments, don't let that put you off, resemblance to religion is relatively scant.
Story-wise, Episode 10 is the most comedic (in the dark and sharply satirical sense) and light-hearted, perhaps for some the most accessible. This is something that may feel too different to some, to me the different tone was appreciated because even if the previous nine episodes were thematically richer somewhat and more emotionally powerful Episode 10 is brilliantly entertaining and actually if anybody considers it their favourite it's easy to see why. Even for comedy, the acting still manages to be complex and nuanced while also clearly having fun.
Overall, magnificent conclusion. 10/10 Bethany Cox
All of 'Dekalog's' episodes have so many great things, and it is an example of none of the lesser episodes (the weakest being the still very good Episode 8) being bad. This is testament to the high quality of 'Dekalog' as an overall whole and how brilliant the best episodes are. Episode 10 is a magnificent conclusion, it's very different in tone and somewhat of the odd one out in that sense but executes it brilliantly, the slight lack of finality being its only draw-back (but that is so minor it's a non-issue).
Every single one of 'Dekalog's' episodes are exceptionally well made. The production values in Episode 10 are as ever atmosphere-enhancing, beautiful and haunting to look at and fascinating. Many of the images are impossible to forget. The direction is quietly unobtrusive, intelligently paced and never too heavy, and the music is suitably intricate.
The themes and ideals are used to full potential, and the characters and their relationships and conflicts feel so real and emotionally resonant without being heavy-handed. Despite being based around one of the ten commandments, don't let that put you off, resemblance to religion is relatively scant.
Story-wise, Episode 10 is the most comedic (in the dark and sharply satirical sense) and light-hearted, perhaps for some the most accessible. This is something that may feel too different to some, to me the different tone was appreciated because even if the previous nine episodes were thematically richer somewhat and more emotionally powerful Episode 10 is brilliantly entertaining and actually if anybody considers it their favourite it's easy to see why. Even for comedy, the acting still manages to be complex and nuanced while also clearly having fun.
Overall, magnificent conclusion. 10/10 Bethany Cox