Nie lubie poniedzialku (I don't like Mondays) has always been one of my favourite Polish comedies - and comedies at all. It is a pity, that it is little known outside of Poland, because in my opinion it is a worthy counterpart of world's best classics of that period. And the film has aged well and is not less funny today.
The film has not one main plot nor leading character, but instead is a brilliant mix of several intersecting stories of people in Warsaw on one unlucky Monday. Among others we have Italian buisnessman coming to the city and getting lost, governmental delegation sent to invite him, a worker of provincial national farm looking for parts for a combine harvester, a policeman who has to take his kid to work, a taxi driver seeking revenge on his passenger, a gang of bank robbers, a singer who does not want to drive drunk, and a modern sculptor. The paths of most characters cross on some occasion, leading to funny situations. After digital restoration we can fully enjoy colourful views of Warsaw streets, buildings and (not too numerous) typical vehicles of that period.
In a background we have a reality of communist Poland in early 1970s, with problems like workers neglecting work, or lack of many goods in trade, including toilet paper and machine parts. The film is a satire on communist economy similar to later famous films by Stanislaw Bareja, although not such vicious, and therefore it is more light-hearted and satisfying, with likable characters. A knowledge of Poland is not required to understand adventures of characters and enjoy situation jokes. We have also light satire on modern art.
The film is defintely recommended, especially to those, who like to give older movies a chance.
