We Are Not Angels

We Are Not Angels is a comedy-drama film from Serbia that was released in 1992. The film has firmly established itself as a cult classic in Serbian cinema, delighting audiences with its uniquely warm, humorous, and extraordinarily entertaining depiction of life's complexities, love, and devilish interventions. The film features an impressive roster of talents, including Nikola Kojo, Milena Pavlovic, and Branka Katic, who deliver compelling performances that strike the perfect balance between comedy and drama.

The film is directed by Srdjan Dragojević, who brings a shrewd and incisive eye to the celluloid. His flair for evoking strong emotions while presenting humorous situations is a crucial element in the film's appeal. It is beautifully shot, displaying an excellent use of cinematography to further immerse viewers in the narrative. Starting as a playful romp, the film allows audiences to go on a journey that gradually dips into more profound areas of human emotion, all while maintaining its light-hearted touch.

At the heart of We Are Not Angels is a story of love, responsibility, and transformation. Nikola Kojo plays Nikola, a perpetual bachelor and proud Casanova, against the backdrop of Belgrade, the capital of Serbia. His life takes an unexpected turn when he impregnates a girl called Marina, played by Milena Pavlovic. Marina is a high school student and unsuspecting that the man she trusted would abandon her when she needed him the most. Disregarding his parental duty, Nikola is painted as an unconventional protagonist, but one that carries the story forward.

However, the story takes a supernatural twist when the child not yet born summons an angel and a devil. The angel, played by Branka Katic, and the devil work behind the scenes, meddling in human affairs in an attempt to sway the behavior of the main characters. They descend from the heavens with assignments presented as nothing less than influencing the course of humanity, albeit that humanity is narrowly restricted to the love triangle between the bachelor, the high school girl and her cute friend. These celestial beings add a comic relief to the narrative, resulting in various hilarious scenes as they try to manipulate earthly events.

These surreal characters and their interactions serve as a commentary on human nature, particularly in regards to love, responsibility, and desire, while also providing a metaphysical exploration of good versus evil. The film exploits this unusual narrative with clever shooting techniques, making it an exciting, funny, and unusual cinematic experience that keeps the audience engaged right till the end credits roll.

The film builds its narrative and comedy around the lives of ordinary people and their flaws. The screenplay does an excellent job of deriving humor from everyday situations, making the characters and their predicaments extremely relatable. Moreover, the performances by the actors are commendable, breathing life into their characters, further amplifying the film's resonance with the audiences.

We Are Not Angels also takes a bold step in showcasing the social paradigms and norms of Serbia in the 90s. It presents the satirical image of the society of that period, and does so in a way that is both entertaining and subtly critical. From the changing dynamics of relationships to the role of women in society, the film covers a spectrum of social themes.

In terms of production values, the movie is well-made, with a keen eye for detail. It's stylishly filmed, with great attention to aesthetics. The film also has an excellent musical score, enhancing the movie watching experience and adding to its distinct identity.

We Are Not Angels is an unconventional comedy-drama filled with supernatural elements, which engages the audience through its unique storytelling and memorable performances. Despite its seemingly light-hearted nature, it presents profound insights into life, responsibility, and the innate battle between good and evil. Making use of a precisely balanced blend of comedy and drama, the film manages to captivate viewers, leaving them with lasting impressions and themes to ponder upon, long after the movie has concluded.