58. Podatek od milosci; movie review

PODATEK OD MILOSCI
Cert 15
101 mins
BBFC advice: Contains strong language

The finale of the weekend film fiesta was a Polish rom com, topping off a cultural odyssey which had also taken in a Turkish movie, two Tamils and a Kannadian.
And I rather surprised myself by falling for this movie which clearly tickled the collective funny bone of a healthy crowd at Derby Odeon.
Bartlomiej Ignaciuk's film may lack credibility and have a handful of plot holes but its premise is original and its cast have the zest to pull it through.
It stars Aleksandra Domanska as a love-lorn tax inspector who tries to disprove a claim by a suspect (Grzegorz Damiecki) that his fortune is down to hiring himself out as an escort.
Inevitably, the pair are immediately scornful of each other and she sets about trying to make him pay up big time.
However, the more she knows about him, the more she falls for him.
Of course, a gigolo is great fodder for 'oo'er missus' sex gags which prompted loud guffaws from the predominantly female audience.
But Podatek Od Milosci has more to it than a 21st century Carry On film thanks to some family push-me, pull-yous and more than a hint of repelled workplace sexual harassment.
Domanska is a likeable lead, finally prompted to deal with a feckless live-in boyfriend and the constant calls from her faraway mother as she pursues her suspect.
Meanwhile, Damiecki is a pleasing foil, playing a straight bat to her investigation until he realises that romance could be in the air.
Much of Podatek Od Milosci surrounds the question of whether these beautiful people will or won't get together and while everyone in the cinema knew the answer after the first five minutes, it is still fun to see how the relationship plays out.
Needless to say, it is far from straightforward.

Reasons to watch: easygoing rom-com with an unusual premise
Reasons to avoid: not big on substance

Laughs: three from me, more from the Polish speakers
Jumps: none
Vomit: none
Nudity: none
Overall rating: 6.5/10

The big question: Do prostitutes really pay tax?

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