Dekalog

Not gonna lie by the end I had lost a lot of interest in this series. That doesn’t mean it’s bad at all!!! But it’s very long. I gave each episode a small review below, but they do get less and less detailed as time goes on. Decalogue I: 5/5 Is writing reviews for each Decalogue episode as I go, not knowing what comes next. I have to say this series started off quite strong. Honestly quite a lot more anxiety-inducing than I expected, even the chess scene had my heart racing. Krzysztof’s anxious lap around the building and the city was done so well, just an all-around amazingly written experience. Quite tragic too. I look forward to delving deeper into this series. Decalogue II: 4.5/5 Unlike the first episode, I found our two characters here both utterly insufferable. First of all, I personally don’t believe in Dorota’s sentiment that you can love two people at once. She doesn’t actually care for her husband’s recovery, she wants to know what’s best for herself. As for the doctor, he is slightly better but is often cold and distant for someone who should be a prognosis doctor. Sentiments about the characters aside, the narrative to me was slightly less compelling but still a powerful one. So far in the two episodes, children have been a main focal point which to me is quite powerful. The spiritual weight that children carry in the world can’t be ignored, and Kieślowski acknowledges this quite well. This episode is more highlighted on selfishness with her unborn child, holding its life at stake depending on what is easier for her, where as episode one uses the innocence of children to show Krzysztof taking it away, leading to Paweł’s death anxiety. While I didn’t necessarily like the story of this episode, I found its thematic elements and message quite powerful. Our words carry more weight than we acknowledge, and empty words are not enough. Decalogue III: 3.5/5 First off crazy work to show a depressed Krzysztof from episode 1 on Christmas to start this one. Really brings it together that they all live in the same building and everyone in that building is seemingly depressed. Starting with the positives, this episode had amazing cinematography, better than the other episodes. The night setting allows for more work with the light which I really appreciate. To be honest that was the best part of the episode. The story I didn’t care for as deeply as the other two episodes. Any affairs I automatically hate both people, and whatever happens they have coming. That being said, this was the best written affair I’ve seen. Doesn’t mean I enjoyed it. Ewa at times was just evil, and Janusz was a horrible person for leaving his wife on Christmas Eve in the first place. The ending for me was then quite satisfying. Decalogue IV: 4/5 In my opinion the last two episodes took a dip compared to the first two, but I can acknowledge that they’re harder commandments to write into this series. I do enjoy IV more than I did III, but it still can’t hold up to how much I loved those first 2. Still, one of the best series I’ve seen, so I’m excited for what’s to come in the latter half. Decalogue V: 5/5 With this finished, I’ve reached the halfway point in this exciting journey, and encountered my favorite episode so far. From the grueling green tint, to the opening song being switched to the voice over, This felt so much than the other episodes. This difference comes from the type of commandment the fifth is: Thou shalt not kill. This is the first human to human command other than “honor your father and mother,” which doesn’t carry the weight that this does. Anyways, this is the best episode so far. I’ve been missing the symbols from 1 and 2, and they came back nicely in 5. Decalogue VI: 4.5/5 Man this one was weird and sad. I did enjoy it far more than I expected to. I really thought I’d hate it, given the commandment. But it was well written and honestly had me locked in. Decalogue VII: 4/5 This was an interesting take on theft, and well written (as are all of the rest). the plane didn’t land the best though in my opinion. Decalogue VIII: 3.5/5 Don’t lie bruh. Decalogue IX: 4/5 Those who know me know spousal stuff isn’t my favorite, but usually due to poor writing or over the top drama. I think these couples were well written. That being said, I lacked a deep connection to the characters so the end wasn’t as grand as I wish it was. Decalogue X: 4.5/5 Look I hear this episode gets plenty of hate, but I still think it’s good! Not the best as any of the other episodes, but a solid conclusion to a well done series. (sorry i’ve lost my reviewing energy, i have no more words.)