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Sándor Csányi, Zoltán Mucsi, Csaba Pindroch, Sandor Badar, Zsolt Nagy ... see more see more... , György Cserhalmi , János Derzsi , Lajos Kovács , Enikö Eszenyi , Janos Kulka , Jozsef Toth , Gyozo Szabó , Zsolt László , Bence Matyassy , Eszter Balla , Balázs Mihályfi , Péter Scherer , Laszlo Nadasi , Karoly Horvath , Laszlo Bicskei Kis Kis , Balazs Lazar , Melinda Volgyi , Bence Matyasi

For his feature debut, L.A.-born Hungary resident Nimród Antal made Kontroll, a farcical look at the Budapest subway system, about the crazy ticket agents who earn their living there and the hostile c... read more read more...itizens they deal with on a daily basis. At the center of it all is Bulcsú (Sándor Csányi), a quiet fellow who leads his ragtag crew that includes the Professor (Zoltán Mucsi), the nagging, burned-out elder of the group; Muki (Csaba Pindroch), the goofy narcoleptic; the disheveled Lecsó (Sándor Badár); and the naďvely gung-ho new guy, Tibi (Zsolt Nagy). Bulcsú and his guys can't compete with the likes of Gonzó's (Balázs Mihályfi) top-notch crew, who gets all the perks and the best assignments. They're more concerned with just getting through each day in one piece, and it isn't always easy. In addition to the annoyed riders who bicker over having to show their tickets and passes, there's Bootsie (Bence Mátyássy), an energetic young man who plays pranks on the agents and runs very fast, and Sofie (Eszter Balla), the odd young woman who shows up on the train in a bear costume everyday and never pays her fare. Worst of all, there's a dark and mysterious figure who's been pushing unsuspecting riders in front of oncoming trains with predictably grisly results. His superiors begin to suspect Bulcsú when they realize he's been living in the system, spending his nights sleeping on the platforms, and never venturing above ground. Kontroll won Le Prix de la Jeunesse at the 2004 Cannes Film Festival. It was also selected by the Film Society of Lincoln Center and the Museum of Modern Art for inclusion in the 2005 edition of New Directors/New Films. ~ Josh Ralske, Rovi

Flixster Users

87% liked it

7,631 ratings

Critics

81% liked it

64 critics

R, 1 hr. 45 min.

Directed by: Nimród Antal

Release Date: April 1, 2005

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DVD Release Date: August 30, 2005

Stats: 719 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (719)

  • DrZeek
    May 25, 2010
    DrZeek
    "No Ticket"

    Solid film about a crew of subway control officers working in the underworld that is the Budapest subway system. The film works as a dark comedy and very gritty thriller.

    As mentioned, the film is set entirely within the Budapest subway system. Our main characters a... read morere a team of control officers, responsible for checking the tickets for every subway train passenger, due to the subway working by way of the honor system. The lead role belongs to Sándor Csányi, who plays Bulcsu, a man that has been down, underground for way too long. Bulcsu manages to meet a woman, have gritty adventures with his fellow workers, and spend time with an old train diver. While the plot is somewhat episodic, there is the matter of a hooded figure, who is pushing people onto the tracks.

    The film was directed by Nimrod Antal, a Hungarian, who has since made a couple simple thrillers, Vacancy and Armored, and is currently working on the Robert Rodriguez produced Predators film. I mention Rodriguez, because Antal strikes me as a guy who works very much like him. His films are low budget, efficiently made, and manage to have a slick feel; delivering a lot with a little. This film is no different, working in one location and making the most with it.

    There is a good amount of creativity at play here, and I enjoyed it.

    Szofi: [at subway vending machines] Nice place. Come here often?
    Bulcsú: Only when I really want to impress a girl.
  • 366weirdmovies
    March 25, 2010
    366weirdmovies
    A crew of borderline-incompetent subway cops ('Kontrollers') deal with abusive commuters, a rash of apparent suicides, and dense symbolism. Shot entirely in the Budapest subway, this accomplished debut mixes elements of comedy, romance, thrillers, and obscure arthouse allegory i... read morento a narrative that, against all odds, works.
  • rubystevens
    December 8, 2009
    rubystevens
    dark dark dark and funny low budget thriller set in the budapest underground with a host of oddball characters. i really enjoyed this
  • MovieGeek13
    March 19, 2009
    MovieGeek13
    The setting feels more like a nightclub than a subway system. Cool scenes and music score, but the film tries to combine one too many genres to really grab hold of an audience.
  • RCCLBC
    February 12, 2009
    RCCLBC
    Interesting, funny, thought provoking, all in all an exceptional and enjoyable film.
  • gor41
    November 22, 2008
    gor41
    Eerie underground settings help this droll melancholic tale of unloved ticket inspectors, along with an eclectic score and the obvious affection the director has for society's outsiders.
  • DragonEyeMorrison
    September 15, 2008
    DragonEyeMorrison
    Nice little film with a good balance of humour and thrills. While it has plenty of "strange quirky" characters, these have a dark edge, and never get too anoying or too silly. A shame that the director already got ate by the Hollywood machinery to do crappy and forgettable stuff.
  • arashxak
    March 14, 2008
    arashxak
    Stylish, Entirely shot in Budapest subway, this movie is highly symbolic. The whole theme is not something original but Kontroll is definitely one of the bests of it's kind, A great debut.
  • binky013
    December 21, 2007
    binky013
    There's no such thing as a free ride on the Budapest subway system, and employees like Sándor Csányi's character, Bulcsú, are there to try to make as sure of that as they can. This film took me by great surprise. It is nearly heavy handed in its allegorical intention, but it d... read moreoes not, happily, cross that line. Csányi is someone I've not seen before, but he is definitely worth looking for. The mix of murder, mystery, and the mundane of just trying to do your job all mix well with what is a very good love story. Love, it turns out, can lead you out of the depths and into the sunny world above ground. Who woulda thunk it : )
  • MidnightMadwoman
    July 21, 2006
    MidnightMadwoman
    This movie amazed me. If you've ever had a job where you had to clash with the public, even a little but, you can understand the ordeal that the Budapest subway Kontrollers have to go through every day. All the characters are really beleivable and this movie delivers comedy, dram... read morea and thrills with equal effectiveness. This film is a hidden gem, one that's a great pleasure to find.

View All Kontroll Reviews

Critic Reviews

Lisa Kennedy
July 1, 2005
Lisa Kennedy, Denver Post

You don't need a deep, dark forest to tell an unsettling fable about the struggle for freedom or the battles waged between the shadows and the things that glow. Full Review

Richard Nilsen
June 23, 2005
Richard Nilsen, Arizona Republic

As a group of episodes, the movie keeps our interest not by linear plot, but by finely drawn characterizations. Full Review

Mick LaSalle
May 27, 2005
Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle

Singular in its location and singular in mood. Full Review

Roger Ebert
May 27, 2005
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

Kontroll is the first work by a director who is clearly gifted and who has found a way to make a full-bore action movie on a limited budget. Full Review

Michael Wilmington
May 26, 2005
Michael Wilmington, Chicago Tribune

You won't forget it soon, though it may give you at least some qualms about using the subway, especially if you're ever in Budapest. Full Review

Michael O'Sullivan
May 13, 2005
Michael O'Sullivan, Washington Post

Visually stylish surrealist drama. Full Review

Ty Burr
May 6, 2005
Ty Burr, Boston Globe

These pieces come together, but they don't always fit. Full Review

Kevin Thomas
April 21, 2005
Kevin Thomas, Los Angeles Times

Kontroll is that singular success, a thoroughly satisfying, rambunctious entertainment that also subtly works on philosophical and spiritual levels. Full Review

David Denby
April 14, 2005
David Denby, New Yorker

There must be a lot of smart people out there in America ready for a youthful explosion of talent and temperament. This is their picture.

Kyle Smith
April 1, 2005
Kyle Smith, New York Post

Kontroll calls itself a thriller, and you will agree if you are excited by scenes of bored inspectors arguing with sullen straphangers.

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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