Obsluhoval jsem anglického krále (2006)

A solidly made film with some good performances, especially from Martin Huba as Skrivanek, the maitre d'. The film seems to linger too much on some of its set-pieces, usually involving naked women either bedecked with an assortment of fruit and flowers or being leered at by rich old duffers. This criticism might be a bit harsh as the sumptuous visuals are integral to the film but I did feel the pace slowing down a bit.

The director, Jiri Menzel, is famous for another Hrabal adaptation, 'Closely Observed Trains' and may have been regarded as a safe pair of hands for this job. However, I do wonder whether a younger director would have made more of the adventurous weaving together of episodes in the book. That said, the film does have a real feel for the flavour and atmosphere of the book. The cast are particularly well chosen and there are some wonderfully characterful faces cropping up.

In short, a pleasant experience but shouldn't garner any awards outside the Czech Republic.