Empties
A spirited Czech retiree turns ordinary routines into a second chance at love, purpose, and belonging.
Overview
A heartwarming tale of rediscovering love and joy in unexpected places, even in the twilight years of life.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Mild
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- None
- witty
- warm
- hopeful
- lazy sunday
- comfort viewing
What critics said
Critics broadly celebrate its warm, witty, emotionally generous portrait of aging and romantic renewal.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Josef Tkaloun refuses the idea that retirement and old age make love, meaning, and social value impossible.
The supermarket, former teaching life, colleagues, and church-linked community provide the settings for Josef’s renewed engagement with others.
Josef and Eliška’s marriage forms the emotional center of the film’s exploration of love after retirement.
The plot’s supermarket, bicycle rides, school connections, and neighborhood relationships make everyday contemporary Czech surroundings central to its appeal.
Films like Empties, and why
The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel
warm romantic comedy-drama about aging, companionship, and finding renewed purpose in ordinary life
The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel
gentle, witty examination of later-life romance, marriage, and unexpected emotional renewal
A Man Called Ove
European comedy-drama centered on older adults, social connection, and bittersweet everyday happiness
Hope Springs
romantic comedy-drama where mature characters resist social expectations and rediscover intimacy
Movie Details
- Director
- Jan Svěrák
- Release Date
- 2007-03-08
- Runtime
- 103 min
- Rating
- 6.8 / 10 (78)
Cast
- Zdeněk Svěrák
- Daniela Kolářová
- Tatiana Dyková
- Jiří Macháček
- Pavel Landovský
- Jan Budař
- Nela Boudová
- Ondřej Vetchý
- Miroslav Táborský
- Robin Soudek
Common questions
- What is Empties about?
- A spirited Czech retiree turns ordinary routines into a second chance at love, purpose, and belonging.
- What is Empties like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Empties as brisk, its intensity as mild and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Empties violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in Empties.
- What did critics think of Empties?
- Critics broadly celebrate its warm, witty, emotionally generous portrait of aging and romantic renewal.
- Which films are like Empties?
- Films with a similar feel include The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, A Man Called Ove, and Hope Springs.
- How long is Empties?
- Empties runs 103 minutes.
