Czech director Jiri Menzel’s I SERVED THE KING OF ENGLAND is a beautifully shot and crafted film celebrating the grand old days of the Czechoslovakia before World War 2.  Told in flashback from the point of view from one simple but ambitious front waiter, Jan Dite (Oldrich Kaiser), Menzel’s film traces the events from Jan’s first employment at the Hotel Paris in Prague with emphasis on his love affair with a German activist (Julia Jentsch) till the point when he is jailed for 15 years for being a millionaire capitalist.

Menzel’s fondess for the old times is apparent throughout the movie.  He uses the old style of silent films, where characters move in fast motion silently.  The characters of Laurel and Hardy resurface (as in his other film MY SWEET LITTLE VILLAGE) in the form of Dite and his plump friend.  Shooting in soft, beige colours, the film has the feel of eastern European decadence.  Menzel indulges as well with his fascination with young female flesh with his camera lingering over the body of actress Jentsch.

But Menzel’s has his love couple marry with their sperm taken for testing to see if it meets standards.  All this is humorous, undoubtedly, but it makes little sense or drive to the narrative.  In fact, despite the solid story line, the film meanders and distracts over silliness such as the Ethiopian Emperor’s visit to the hotel with dishes like camel meat and fished stuffed turkey.  When the film reaches the final reel, the viewer feels lost as to what Menzel’s message of the film is – unless there is none.

Czech folk would enjoy the film more.  My Czech’s friend parents (fluent in the language) loved the film and claimed that a lot of the humour is lost in the subtitle translation.  Still this film won the FIPRESCI Prize at the 2007 Berlin Film Festival.