Palimpsest (2006) User Reviews

A Police thriller that does a 180

[benl-4 · 7/10 · 8 September 2006]

Palimpsest is a Polish psychological study that starts as a police detective story and ends up being something very different. That's all I'm going to say, except the script was intriguing and the cast gave a great performance. Palimpsest is the kind of film that many people will want to see again to look for clues and details.

I wish the sound mix had been a bit lower though as it was a bit jarring at times, especially since I almost dozed off because I'd had a long day. I saw Palimpsest at the Toronto International Film Festival, and the director's comments after the screening about how the screenplay changed during development and how he hates unnecessary dialog were interesting.

And you were there and you . And you!

[cinemart · 5/10 · 8 September 2006]

Detective Marek (Andrzej Chyra) is determined to find the killer of his ex-partner. Why ex? The two may or may not have parted ways due to a ménage à trois with Hanna (Magdalena Cielecka) his former partner's dangerously beautiful main squeeze. Marek embarks on a labyrinthine journey through echoing hallways and visual reverberations of repeated phrases and images.

PALIMPSEST began with a lot of promise but it quickly became apparent that somebody has been watching a lot of David Lynch films and that somebody is director Konrad Niewolski. Shocking flashes of flashbacks, backwards dream sequences, and characters who seem to be able to see things that they shouldn't (think Robert Blake's Mystery Man in LOST HIGHWAY) all play into a mystery that isn't all that mysterious especially for link-minded Lynch fans or viewers familiar with fare such as FIGHT CLUB, THE MACHINIST, REVOLVER, 12 MONKEYS, or THE WIZARD OF OZ ("And you were there… and you…. And you!). Don't rush out to see this any time soon.

tainted review -

[dumsumdumfai · 6/10 · 18 September 2006]

for effort, style and construction, 10. However, the problem is with me, i've seen this movie before. A similar premise anyhow.

The story begins with a homicide, and the subsequence investigation by a detective. The whirlpool goes down from this point. And because this is in Polish, and the actors are not familiar to me but some looks very similar to each other (while reading the subtitle). It got a bit more confusing. But not to worry, some of the flashbacks or hallucinations adds to this chaos. That's about all I can say. But it is just strange that the senior officer discuss this case with the lead character, the detective, in empty hallways that looks like underground parking lots.

A hint of this other movie is by Marc Forester, 2005, with Ewan McGregor, Ryan Gosling and Naomi Watts. And that Marc Forester movie is similar to some of M. Night Shyamalan's earlier efforts. There, a full circle back to effort.

Stylish but pointless

[TdSmth5 · 4/10 · 2 May 2013]

In the intro, a body falls to the ground, rather something does and only later we find out it's a body. Turns out it's the dead body of a cop. His partner is in charge to the investigation. But he also suffers from visions and nightmares. While he interviews and meets shady characters trying to reconstruct the dead cop's final day something becomes clear, that something isn't right with him and/or he's somehow involved. One witness is in a mental institution, another is a photographer with a weird neck brace. A girl he sees is also somehow involved. Because the viewer is warned that something is odd, when it is revealed it isn't so surprising but at the same time, the true scenario is a bit odd and rather weak. Coupled with the final scene that just increases the mystery we are left with little. With a movie like this where at end you have nothing then, the journey at least should be somewhat enjoyable. But it isn't. Sure, for a while you wonder how it will turn out and what the cop's involvement is. But the resolution is a let-down, perhaps the second worst in movies.

At around 80 minutes this movie is short. A lot of scenes are exceedingly drawn out, starting with the opening scene and the scene that follows of the photo of a face. Similarly, when a woman walks to a building, it takes forever. Clearly, there wasn't enough script for a fully developed movie. What the filmmakers decided to do instead of working out their idea was to work on style to mask the deficiencies. And this movie is somewhat stylish. It's filmed mostly in a yellow/green tone. The cinematography is pretty decent. But the music and sound effects are indeed too loud, intrusive, and pointless starting with the opening scene that musically tries to prepare us for something grandiose, but like the movie as a whole ends up being nothing special.

Kafkaesque thriller

[s-guyett · 9/10 · 24 February 2007]

Yes, this film is derivative of Lynch. However, it is more cleanly executed than many of Lynch's films, and has a distinctly European, Kafkaesque feel to it.

Apart from some shaky acting at times (although the lead is excellent, some of the support is heavy handed), this is better thought through than many films that simply try to create an atmosphere with no plot. The direction is perfect, and best of all, the film does not just dissolve into a set of unsolved riddles. Should be appreciated by anyone who enjoys deeper, psychological, or art-house, thrillers. I found this a very good follow up to "Symmetry".

Intriguing

[rayanrafay · 10/10 · 13 September 2006]

This movie is special.

It is a true in-depth study of the mind, and our individual perception's of reality. It can be confusing, and I will admit if there was not a Q&A with the director after the film ended (Toronto Film Festival) I would have given it an 8 or 9 (I failed to understand some of the symbolism). But after hearing his rationale and thought process, I am forced to give it a perfect rating.

The concept is truly intriguing and the story is ambiguous enough for individuals to draw their own conclusions.

If you are weary of common Hollywood fare, this is the perfect movie.