Respected surgeon Rafal Wilcruz is extremely famous for helping out the poor and even stands up for them infront of the medical council. As his fame increases, he focuses more on the work and his wife abandons him for another man, taking their daughter with her. This devastates Rafal and he even gets brutally attacked by muggers, leaving him with memory loss. 15 years later, he is living as a poor man with a borrowed name Antoni Kosiba and fate gets him to meet his daughter while his amnesia doesn't let him forget his skills as a doctor. Will the father - daughter unite, forms rest of the story.
Based on a novel, this definitely opts for the authentic linear narrative, running the emotions strong. The period is well recreated and the characters are really well adapted. The first act is effective enough to establish Rafal's credible character and his personal loss, yearning for his loved ones. His struggle with the memory loss and having to live with it for 15 years was really heart touching on screen. Add to that, his relationship with Zoska who becomes his love interest is infact another strong character to watch out for.
Then there is the subplot involving the young lovebirds, dealing with the class difference where the boy's rich family is against the relationship. Again, the girl not knowing Rafal / Antoni to be her real father and their clash over him illegally practicing medicine, for a nobody leaves a mark. The love story works too but the highlight remains the way Kosiba gets famous among the villagers and eventually earns the trust of Marysia, the daughter he is unaware of.
The final act is befitting to the story, taking place in the court house and the melodrama is elevated in right amount. The court house scene is fun but also, the emotional battle Rafal goes through while Zoska desperately tries to protect him, these moments actually made the film what it is. Final act is all heart and it simply felt perfect. I may have not seen the previous two adaptations of this novel, yet Love Forgotten is a proof for that story's longevity and with these strong characters, it definitely was a worthy watch, despite the 140 minutes runtime.
Based on a novel, this definitely opts for the authentic linear narrative, running the emotions strong. The period is well recreated and the characters are really well adapted. The first act is effective enough to establish Rafal's credible character and his personal loss, yearning for his loved ones. His struggle with the memory loss and having to live with it for 15 years was really heart touching on screen. Add to that, his relationship with Zoska who becomes his love interest is infact another strong character to watch out for.
Then there is the subplot involving the young lovebirds, dealing with the class difference where the boy's rich family is against the relationship. Again, the girl not knowing Rafal / Antoni to be her real father and their clash over him illegally practicing medicine, for a nobody leaves a mark. The love story works too but the highlight remains the way Kosiba gets famous among the villagers and eventually earns the trust of Marysia, the daughter he is unaware of.
The final act is befitting to the story, taking place in the court house and the melodrama is elevated in right amount. The court house scene is fun but also, the emotional battle Rafal goes through while Zoska desperately tries to protect him, these moments actually made the film what it is. Final act is all heart and it simply felt perfect. I may have not seen the previous two adaptations of this novel, yet Love Forgotten is a proof for that story's longevity and with these strong characters, it definitely was a worthy watch, despite the 140 minutes runtime.