"A Short Story About Love" with its cast of two, not including a couple of side characters, is not short in length at 86 minutes but is short in stature as it lingers tediously over the tenuous relationship which develops between an immature and introverted postal worker and the attractive older woman he watches from his bedroom window through a telescope from across a courtyard as she cavorts nightly around her flat. A laconic sentimental flick with little to offer save the psychodynamics of a pair of peculiar characters, this tale of strange bedfellows is very well done for what it is, which ain't much. Sweet soup with no meat and potatoes or dessert, this is one for the artie crowd. (B-)

For someone used by Hollywood to romantic films being comedies, this could be a hard one to swallow. In a way, yes, it is a drama, but no more than any other strong love is. The movie attacks directly the strongest feelings anyone has ever had: the first love. Since the main character is an introverted 19 year old, the power of his inner love can only be hinted at. But one gets the picture.

The story is irrelevant, in itself, the lead idea is that someone can identify one's life and reason to live with a feeling that isn't even shared. The interaction between the love sick and his target is only a small ploy to make us understand the things that go on inside the man.

All in all I've seen better movies than this, having stronger messages. Wicker Park, for example, is a fairly recent US movie that captures in a more alert, yet implausible way the same feelings of obsession. Is that the truest love, or is it just a Chimera, making people chase their own tail in the illusion that they have a real feeling? I think there are few movies that explore this issue, this being one of them. Be prepared for a rather depressing view on the matter.

As said in my review of 'A Short Film About Killing', the more work I see of Krzysztof Kieslowski, the stronger the feeling that he was an incredibly gifted director, responsible for some brilliant work, taken from us too soon.

Have yet to see anything bad from him, with even my least favourite (the eighth episode of 'Dekalog') still being very good, with the masterful 'Dekalog' and 'Three Colors: Red' (all three "Three Colors" films are must watches, but especially 'Red') being particularly great. Like 'A Short Film About Killing' was an expansion of Episode 5 of 'Dekalog', 'A Short Film About Love' is an expanded feature length version of Episode 6 (to me like Episode 5 one of the best 'Dekalog' episodes).

Granted, 'A Short Film About Love' is not for everybody and it is easy to understand why. It seems to have been mistaken for a depressing take on romantic love, to me while there is love and passion (being two of the main themes of Episode 6 of 'Dekalog') it is a more complex and darker interpretation of "love" but is actually much more than that. Often it is more a film about obsession, forgiveness, lust and heartache. People may easily dismiss 'A Short Film About Love' as pessimistic and dispassionate, perverted has even been used, while others find it beautiful, haunting and moving. Belong in the latter category myself.

Kieslowski's films are all visually striking and exceptionally well made. The same can be said for 'A Short Film About Love'. As well as being beautifully shot with atmospheric use of colour to match the mood, it is gritty yet beautiful with many thoughtful and emotionally powerful images lingering long into the memory. Kieslowski's direction is quietly unobtrusive, intelligently paced and never too heavy, and the music is suitably intricate.

The themes and ideals are used to full potential, and the characters and their relationships and conflicts feel so real and emotionally resonant without being heavy-handed. Despite being based around one of the ten commandments, don't let that put you off, resemblance to religion is relatively scant, unless anybody argues God's seeming love for sinners. Being a non-religious person that's not for me to say, just mentioning an interesting and quite unusual observation read recently about the film.

Story-wise, it's deliberate in pace but rich and provocative. It's never dull, and more often than not it's creepy (like Magda being followed out of the post-office),poignant (Tomek on the roof, Magda in tears after knocking over milk and the heart-wrenching fantasy about what life might have been with him). There is even some nice black humour that is so subtle it's easy to miss.

'A Short Film About Love's' themes of obsession, stalking, lust, love, passion, forgiveness and heartache are expertly explored, likewise with the characterisations and interactions. The acting is superb as to be expected from both the two leads, again the complexity and nuances of the performances is to be admired.

Overall, another masterpiece from Kieslowski though one of his most divisive. 10/10 Bethany Cox