It's Hard to be Nice

It's Hard to be Nice, directed by Srdjan Vuletic, is a meaningful and poignant film that premiered in 2007. This drama-based movie is an emotional portrayal of a man's journey to transform himself during a tumultuous phase in post-war Bosnia. The film stars the talented Sasa Petrovic in the role of Reuf, a disillusioned taxi driver who is frustrated with his life's stagnancy. Daria Lorenci and Damir Savic give compelling performances as well, enriching the narrative further.

The story opens with Reuf, a Sarajevo taxi driver, depicting a man who is trapped in his everyday existence. By day, he navigates the cluttered roads of Sarajevo and shares his taxi with a motley crew of disparate and eccentric characters, while nights have him banding together with his old pals, resorting to drinking and loitering around with no sense of progression in sight. Reuf realizes that his existence, marked by discontent, boredom, and a lack of ambition, is far removed from the life he desires for himself or his loving wife Azra, played convincingly by Daria Lorenci, and their unborn child.

Reuf's revelation, triggered by impending fatherhood and a serious of personal mishaps, precipitates a metamorphosis. This typical man, settled in his inconsequential routines, makes the profound decision to become a 'good person' and improve his life. This decision is spurred by his concern for the future he will offer his unborn child and the recognition of the future's fragility within the context of shattered post-war Bosnia.

The rest of the dramatic narrative follows Reuf on his journey to alter his life radically. His honest endeavor to change himself and extend the same grace to his friends, which they are reluctant to accept, forms the main crux of the saga. The audience witnesses the struggles of changing oneself against the odds and the challenges to break away from old habits, old friends, and a bleak mindset.

Amid his transformative journey, Reuf's wife, Azra, stands as a pillar of strength. Lorenci portrays Azra as a woman who loves Reuf enough to remain patient with him and supportive of his gnawing desire to become a better person. Her character offers a sense of hope and tenderness to Reuf's tumultuous experience—an experience mirrored in the chaos and disruption that surrounds them in their city, Sarajevo, which is also battling its own reconstruction post the Bosnian War.

Director Vuletic adeptly captures this concurrent story of personal and post-war transformation through a skillful mix of humor, pathos, and realism. Passenger interactions in Reuf's taxi add a layer of humor and offer a sharp reflection of contemporary Bosnian society. Vuletic also brings Damir Savic on board, whose portrayal enhances the complexity of the narrative and brings a critical perspective to the film.

Overall, It's Hard to be Nice goes beyond being merely an entertaining movie—it is a profound portrayal of the impact of self-realization and the longing for a better existence against the backdrop of societal chaos. The narrative magnificently intertwines the personal struggle for improvement with the parallel need for social reconstruction within the post-war Bosnian setting.

The performances of Sasa Petrovic, Daria Lorenci, and Damir Savic are exceptional—one gets to experience a splendid array of emotions from humor and wit to deep despair and a stubborn, resilient desire for change. By focusing on relatable themes of self-improvement and post-war societal recovery, the film invites its audience to ponder their own lives while exploring the tribulations of a man yearning for goodness in an environment marked by convenience, war-torn disruption, and unforgiving societal norms.

In conclusion, It's Hard to be Nice is a must-see movie for those who appreciate well-crafted stories exploring personal and societal transformation. This film is indubitably a testament to Vuletic's artistic storytelling backed by some stellar performances from the cast.