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7.1/10
Senior Film Conservator
A definitive 7.1/10 rating for a film that redefined the boundaries of cult cinema. Business in Distress remains a cornerstone of transgressive art.
“Business in Distress” is one of those old-school comedies you stumble upon, and honestly, if you're into *really* early jazz club vibes mixed with some delightful slapstick, you might have a good time. It's a sweet, kinda innocent watch, but folks expecting modern pacing or edgy humor will probably find it a real drag. Think of it as a time capsule, really. 🕰️
Our hero, or rather, our very particular pencil-pusher, is Karel (Jaroslav Marvan). He’s an efficiency expert, the kind of guy who probably alphabetizes his spices and schedules his breathing. His whole world is spreadsheets, you know?
So, naturally, he gets sent to a jazz club. Not just any club, but one that’s a delightful mess of chaotic energy and soulful music. The contrast? *Chef’s kiss* for a classic setup.
Marvan plays Karel with this amazing stiff-upper-lip quality. You can practically see the gears turning in his head as he tries to apply "optimized workflow" to a spontaneous trumpet solo. It’s a joy to watch him squirm.
The club itself feels lived-in, a bit smoky, full of characters. The music? It’s charmingly vintage, full of that swing that makes you wanna tap your foot. Even Karel, eventually.
There’s this one bit where Karel tries to reorganize the bar’s inventory, meticulously, while the bartender (Josef Rovenský plays someone like that, I think) just stares at him. That look on the bartender’s face, it says everything. Like, "Bless your heart, sir, but you're wasting your time."
The movie gets noticeably better once it stops taking itself *too* seriously, or rather, once Karel stops taking *himself* too seriously. You can almost feel the jazz music slowly, subtly, winning him over. It’s a slow burn, but satisfying.
And then there’s Vlasta Burian. Oh, **Vlasta Bur