The film Jasminum made both positive and negative impressions, but overall was enjoyable to watch. The production is aesthetically very good, with attractive settings, music, and characters. It was often difficult to figure out what was happening and why, however, and the film's final message was somewhat ambiguous. Kolski's habitual style of "magical realism" was evident throughout the film, affecting the director's development of characters and backgrounds as well as theme.The fairy-tale-like atmosphere of this film entailed the use of characters who lacked any particular depth. Kolski's story did not delve much into the personal thoughts and developments of any individuals, focusing rather on their interactions as symbolic types. Most characters were used to represent particular feelings or aspects of the human character; they were symbolic types rather than developing beings. Patricia, the blond hairdresser, was portrayed as a somewhat shallow woman desperate for a partner, Sanitas as a monk simply following his orders and duty, and even Natasha's inner troubles were probed very little. The Father, also, did not act his part with any particular religious inspiration; nor did either of the brothers who were there together with Birdcherry.The monastic setting, too, seemed chosen primarily for its archaic and magical appeal, for the film was surprisingly devoid of religious expression given its overt placement in a monastery. This could be the director's active judgment on the worth of monastic life (as is hinted when all three of the brothers come out of their silence and admit they don't really know what they're doing there), but it is more likely that the monastery is simply used as a nice background for the various love stories with little religious connotation.These outward symbols clearly designate Jasminum as a fairy tale, but what the tale is actually about is more difficult to say. Part of what keeps the film interesting is that the viewer spends a good deal of time trying to figure out the plot and understand the message. One of the film's major themes was clearly related to love. Just what Kolski was trying to say about love was not entirely obvious, however, or at least one hopes that he had some deeper thoughts about love than those that came out most strongly. The intertwining of the ghostly Jasmine's love story with numerous subplots, her involvement with the monastery since its beginnings, and the sainting of Sanitas after he brought about her reunion with her lover all point to the centrality of her theme in which lovers are united despite great obstacles. The story of Patricia's infatuation with her actor was introduced rather late in the film, yet had become one of the central subplots by the end. In a sense her story is the central one, representing the triumph of love (so-called) that so many other characters desire. As such, Kolski paints a rather depressing picture of love. The actor, who was portrayed as a rude and unpleasant man, suddenly fell madly in love with the hairdresser after being exposed to the right perfume. Rather than treating this as a shallow love or allowing Patricia any sort of realizations about her lover's nature, the director uses the story of their union to parallel the true love epitomized in the "reunion" of the bodies of Jasmine and the original Birdcherry.While Brother Sanitas was portrayed as a good man, it was somewhat unclear why he was chosen to become a saint. Since general goodness did not seem to be valued so highly in this film as love, it seems likely that he was made a saint for his role in leading Natasha to Jasmine's body and thus causing the two dead lovers to be reunited.The best thing about this film in my opinion was its aesthetics: beautiful music, idyllic setting, and attractive characters. These traits make it appealing to audiences who enjoy a film as an artistic experience. The somewhat difficult plot may discourage viewers who don't want to expend a lot of effort to follow it. If one takes Jasminum's theme of love too seriously, it may come across as disappointingly fatalistic and shallow. Kolski's film is best appreciated as a fairy tale.

Jasminum is a mysterious film that explores the ideas and experiences of love, romance, and friendship in a religious, faith-based context. The viewer is swept back in time to the year 1619, where three mystifying and colorful coffins are housed in the crypt of a small monastery. The film is able to captivate the viewer by slowly explaining the mystery of the coffins and their inhabitants' strange scents clear through the end of the film which takes the setting to modern day Poland. Jasminum has the ability to hold on to the audience's attention because it does not reveal the explanations/answers all at once, but rather continuously builds upon itself as a masterfully crafted story. The audience feels right there beside the characters as they purse a journey of self-discovery while gaining an understanding of their own faith.The modern day characters, Genie and Natasha, bring a wonderful sense of joy and hope to the monastery and the local town. One cannot help but to smile at the sight of the narrator, little Genie. Genie's character offsets that of her mother's. Natasha seemed to be a strong willed woman with many curiosities of her own, struggling to find meaning in a life that has led her down an unknown, unplanned path. Meanwhile Genie stays relatively simple and true to her heart in the film. It is in this simplicity that the mystery is finally revealed. This film is sure to be interesting for viewers because of its brilliant plot and kind-hearted humor. Jasminum is a refreshing change in the history of Polish film. It is not gloomy and does not dwell on a rough past, but rather is colorful and insightful. Instead of portraying the problems and hardships of Polish life, like many famous Polish films of the past have done, Jasminum is more like a fairy tale exploring the brighter sides of the human experience. It may also rejuvenate one's Catholic faith.This film explores many earthly topics as well as those embedded in Catholicism. Such topics are desire, sense of belonging and duty, humility, and most of all love. Every character seeks to find his/her place in this world. This is an easy task for some, much harder for others. A hairdresser Patricia seeks a means to find herself a companion for she is convinced she cannot find it on personality and looks alone. She believes if she can harness the scent of Birdcherry any man could be hers. She epitomizes desire. Three monks, Birdcherry, Sweetcherry, and Plum, have an obligation to carryout their earthly duties in the hopes of performing a miracle, propelling them onto sainthood. They feel comfortable with this path, it is how they exemplify faith and it is what gives them strength and belonging. The audience learns later that Birdcherry and Natasha were once romantically connected in the past and this encounter has forced them both to reevaluate their responsibilities and purpose in life. Monk Sanitas is of course the lovable, and most of all humble cook. This character, if not any other, should be the most inspiring of the film. For thirty years he has been the cook and overall caretaker of the St. Roch Church. He lives the humble life that a monk is generally thought to live. He is innocent and compassionate, especially with Genie. By the close of the film, he wants nothing more than the girl to stay with him so he may play with her and watch little Genie grow up. He never forgets to ask for the Lord's blessing to watch over those in his heart. The last major theme of love may be attributed to Natasha; the chemist who finds out love is more about faith and feeling rather than scientific equations and experiments. Though one might believe to have all the explanations and reasons to life's questions and great mysteries, it is the nature of life and existence that keeps people guessing and searching. Sooner or later, if one has a pure, simple heart like Monk Sanitas or little Genie, life will be sure to reward. The characters that are most pure of heart and soul, like Monk Sanitas and little Genie, do not ask too many questions of God and therefore, do not question their purpose, their faith, and their abilities. On the other hand, those like Patricia are lost in a sea of doubt and unhappiness, that is until they reconnect with their faith, or at least something that give them faith. This film comes highly recommended to any person seeking a fresh outlook on the daily dilemmas they might encounter. Sometimes humans have a way of putting their lives into narrow perspectives containing too many explanations and diluted rationale. Jasminum helps viewers take that much needed step back, a breather. It helps one to understand life is much bigger than the individual while being grateful for the blessings they are granted. All age groups will learn something about themselves by viewing this film, and not only once, but every screening. This film will not put crazy ideas into one's head but rather a better understanding of what it is to be human in the world one lives in.

One thing that I have learned from Polish film is that there seems to only be three genres of film in Poland: the meek tales of desolate life, ridiculous comedies and the overproduced but beautiful adaptations of classic literature. In contrast, director Jan Jakub Kolski manages to evade all three of these clichés in his 2006 movie Jasminum. The result is a film that is magical, aesthetically rich, but above all and most surprisingly, happy. At the very surface the movie is about a woman, Natasha, who arrives with her five year-old daughter, Eugenia, at a monastery in small-town Poland to restore religious paintings. However, we learn that at heart, the movie is a wise, warm-hearted story about things that matter: love, sincerity, tolerance and standing up for the things you believe are righteous and good. It also touches on other subjects like enjoying the simple pleasures in life and the relationship between science and faith. The latter two subjects are best displayed through the relationship between Brother Sanitas and Eugenia and also through the dynamic between Natasha, Father Kleofas and the painting of the Virgin Mary, respectively. Brother Sanitas can be described as an introverted soul at best. He works as the monasteries cook and is severely under-appreciated, underestimated, and overworked by the other monks. When Eugenia comes into his life there is a definitive attitude shift. At first Brother Sanitas is confused and even annoyed by the little girl. However, soon enough we see them spending time together skipping and in a scene of unprecedented gratitude towards each other Eugenia buys Brother Sanitas a pair of shoes while he builds her a swing. In a pivotal scene Father Kleofas notices that Natasha's restoration is unarguably making the painting more beautiful. Father comments, "What is the point? We can see her (Virgin Mary) more clearly now. But does it make our prayers any stronger?" The question that Father Kleofas poses remains relevant throughout the whole movie not only in relation to the painting. For example, the question of science versus faith comes up in the sub-plot regarding Natasha's disbelief of the three brother's supernatural ability to produce the scents of plums, sweet berries and bird berry. Natasha then begins to use her knowledge of chemistry to disprove this possibility. Much can be said about the cinematography of the film. Krzysztof Ptak encompasses the elements of magical realism into a beautiful reel of film. The colors are lush and the scenery demure, but interesting. Through his cinematography, Ptak helps to enlighten the reader on another struggle, rural versus city-life. One will notice that in the city the colors are less lush and the weather not as pleasing. The lack of nature in the city also contributes to the feeling of barren and uninviting terrain. The film plays in the style of all whimsical children's fairy tales, while at the same time blending in a series of very serious adult themes. There is a distinct scene in which two characters engage in sexual relations while Eugenia is narrating. Eugenia says, "I probably shouldn't say anything in this moment." It is this kind of juxtaposition of adult theme in a child's story that makes the film particularly amusing and interesting. The little girl, Eugenia, steals the show and is by far my favorite character. She develops a fantastic, hilarious and warm relationship with Brother Sanitas, the aforementioned cook of the Monastery. Eugenia is quite rambunctious and boisterous. However, Eugenia proves to be an extraordinarily dynamic character and she serves as both the narrator and as an actor in the film. She also helps Kolski succeed in telling his story delicately, in his very own style, with fine nuances and a twinkle of humor in his eye.

Well....to be honest I am a huge fan of Masters Gayos and Peczka so their participation was the main force that made me to get JASMINUM and my God! the movie is AMAZING! From the beginning to the end...I was embraced by a cascade of colors, sounds and scents...yes - SCENTS for as one of previous reviewers said - You can literally FEEL the scent of the mysterious fragrances! I'd compare my impressions to those I got after watching "Amelie Poulain". Sound - amazing Picture - incredible Actors - superb! Without a doubt I can predict a bright future to Polish cinematography if there would be more that one of a kind (IMO - so far) movie I am talking about! If you are looking for something different, if you are tired to the all like Hollywood "matrix" movies - JASMINUM is the very right answer!