Non Plus Ultras
NON PLUS ULTRAS is a comedy with a social subtext. It takes a satirical look at a short stretch in the life of five "fans" of one Prague football club who belong to the hardcore supporters - ultras or hooligans. The gang members' lives revolve around football. They revere their "world-famous" English counterparts and uncritically take them as their role models. The undeclared leader of the gang is Bejcak (played by David Novotny), a charismatic young man of around 30 years old with natural authority. He is not stupid; he likes to use foreign words, but always in a slightly unsuitable context. The oldest member of the gang is the lonely forty-year-old Tycka (Vladimir Dlouhy), whom Bejcak took under the gang's wing. Tycka is much older than the others. The stuttering youth Pejsek (Karel Zima) is a fanatic lover of all things "English". He is seconded by the none-too-bright Potapec (Michal Novotny) and the agile, wiry Vocko (Matej Hadek), who is constantly devising new loutish exploits.
Insights
Plot Summary
A young woman, tormented by fragmented memories of her past, returns to her childhood home after her mother's death. She uncovers a dark secret involving her mother's past lovers and a series of mysterious disappearances. As she delves deeper, she finds herself caught in a dangerous web of deceit and violence, with her own sanity hanging in the balance.
Critical Reception
The film received a mixed reception from critics, with some praising Argento's distinctive visual style and atmospheric tension, while others criticized its convoluted plot and underdeveloped characters. Audience reactions were similarly divided, with fans of Argento's earlier giallo films appreciating the return to his signature style, while others found it less compelling than his previous works.
What Reviewers Say
- Praised for its atmospheric visuals and Dario Argento's signature style.
- Criticized for a confusing and often nonsensical plot.
- Some found the performances compelling, while others felt the characters were underdeveloped.
Google audience: Google user reviews are not readily available for this specific title, making it difficult to summarize their specific likes or dislikes.
Fun Fact
The film's original title was 'The Card Player', but was changed to 'Non Plus Ultras' for its international release, a Latin phrase meaning 'nothing further beyond'.
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