Nightwatching (Nocna straz) (2007)

Let's get the praise (much deserved) out of the way before I tackle the problems I had with this fine film.The production design is awesome, in the biblical sense of that word. Combined with the cinematography, an utterly unique and undeniably ethereal world is created. It feels like the frame is set, and like the grandest of theatre, all the settings come to the frame instead of the camera having to chase down different settings. In this sense, it is one of the most artistically accomplished films I have ever seen. Everything has its exact and fated place in the frame and no visual detail feels rushed or unplanned. The costuming is quite grand as well, and one feels utterly drawn into the world made by this film.Now to the downsides. As the film itself says, it is reaching for a tragedy with English sensibilities, read Shakespearian. It does not wholly achieve that, mainly because the cast of characters is too large to care about every background character's plight, and in the end because we cannot fully experience their tragedy, we cannot feel the tragedy of the central character Rembrandt. The dialogue is often great, but sometimes it tries too hard to fit with Shakespearian conventions of theatrical composition and delivery. When tragedies do strike, they don't feel that tragic because there is this subdued mood that lingers over the whole film; it dampens all emotions and destroys the film's attempts to connect emotionally with the audience. Most people will tune out (or walk out or stop the film) and feel bored, even those accustomed to avant-garde films.Now here's the hardest thing for me to confess: I was very underwhelmed by Martin Freeman's performance and he has to carry this film as Rembrandt. He does do more than I thought him capable of, previously only knowing him from his work as Tim on The Office, but when it comes to breakdown scenes, he can't pull off high decibel emotions without me feeling like I am watching an actor act and not a person feeling. He is great with his few rage scenes and decent at playing the casually witty artiste, but I cannot connect to any of his attempts to display sorrow or see his inner struggles to deal with ethical dilemmas reflected in his face and gestures. Now if you are interested in seeing Martin Freeman nude, full frontal and all, don't miss this film.