Petrolejové lampy

Janzurová (Morgiana) and Cepek (Adelheid) do typically fine work in this downbeat drama about a romantic union doomed to fail from the outset. Herz finds rather subtle and unusual ways to create a sense of expectation and unease in what initially appears to be a conventional tragic 'costume' set up, but it takes too long to establish its main storyline, and its themes are not evenly developed. However, it ends strongly, and there is a pleasing degree of moral complexity to the characters.