Beauty in Trouble 2008

The screenplay draws inspiration from Robert Graves’s intriguing poem “Beauty in Trouble,” which opens with a haunting melody sung by a chanteuse skillfully playing the accordion.

This film presents a raw and poignant love story centered on the tumultuous sex life of the captivating woman, Marcela, who finds herself entangled in complex relationships with three men: her husband Jarda, her abusive step-father Risha, and the charming older man Evžen. While Marcela and Jarda indulge in passionate encounters, his violent tendencies reflect a deeper-rooted chauvinism, overshadowing their lust. In contrast, Risha, portrayed as cruel and childishly obnoxious, adds another layer of tension to her life. Evžen, however, enters as a potential savior; a sophisticated gentleman from Czech nobility who has inherited picturesque vineyards in Tuscany and soon becomes her benefactor.

The narrative begins with Marcela, Jarda, and their children living in a cramped flat above Jarda’s chop shop in Prague, a situation that leaves Marcela deeply dissatisfied. Jarda exhibits a blatant disregard for her feelings and the well-being of their son, who suffers due to their living environment. An unexpected turn of events occurs when Jarda’s associate pilfers Evžen’s vehicle, complete with a satellite tracker, which leads to Jarda’s imprisonment. This paves the way for Marcela to flee with her children to her mother’s apartment, where they unfortunately encounter the toxic presence of Risha, her mother’s lecherous partner. Marcela detests Risha, especially after the revelation that he is the father of her first child, forcing her to marry Jarda at just seventeen.

Their worlds collide when Evžen and Marcela meet at the police station while addressing Jarda’s fate. Although she does not actively seek his help, Evžen is captivated by Marcela and eventually assists her. This leads her and her children to migrate into Jarda’s abandoned luxurious home in Prague as the hostility from Risha escalates. As Marcela and Evžen grow closer, they eventually relocate to Italy. Yet, tragedy strikes when her mother’s passing draws her back to Prague for the funeral. It is there she unexpectedly encounters Jarda, freshly released from prison. They share one last tumultuous encounter, but when Jarda reverts to his old, disrespectful ways, Marcela pushes him away, attempting to reclaim her autonomy.

Despite Jarda’s overpowering chauvinism, which serves to ignite some intrigue in Marcela, she ultimately finds it insulting. Ironically, as they return to Italy, Evžen invites Risha to live in their guest house, tying the complex web of desire and betrayal even tighter.