A colorful and fascinating screening of a masterpiece of the Polish Positivism, which perfectly captures the epoch’s spirit, social attitudes, mechanisms of economic development and multiplying one’s wealth with a focus on the main character’s infatuation with an idealized noblewoman – Izabela Łęcka. The film pays a lot of attention to details and, at the same time, provides a careful analysis of different social strata and the existing barriers, stereotypes and mutual prejudice.
The action is set in mostly in Warsaw after the failed January uprising. Wokulski, a particularly talented and gifted man, comes back with an impressive wealth he accumulated by supplying the army. His a great entrepreneur and at the same time a romantic dreamer, who craves infatuation. He sees the impoverished aristocrat Izabela as embodiment of his ideals and does everything to please her and win her over. He turns a deaf ear to his friends’ suggestions and advice and refuses to believe a sober evaluation of the chances of this relationship presented by his dearest friend and business partner Ignacy Rzecki. Social barriers, conventions and snobbism will prove impossible to overcome. At the same time Wokulski is becoming increasingly wealthy, respected and appreciated. In Izabela’s eyes, his background disqualifies him as a potential marriage candidate, which makes him alienated, lonely and paradoxically even more motivated to fulfill his dreams in other areas.
