The Erlprince

Somewhat confusing in its superficial razzle-dazzle and self-congratulatory allusions to a poem by Goethe ('The Erl-King'), random speculations about parallel universes, and an annoying motif concerning the impending end of the world, The Erlprince buries what should have been a more accessible tale of family tragedy. At the center is an unnamed teen (Staszek Cywka, referred to as 'Boy' in the credits), a brainy prodigy whose controlling, steely Mother (Agnieszka Podsiadlik) is desperate for him to win a science competition that has a cash prize. Hounded by creditors, Mother needs the money, and the Boy sees her pressure as one more example of how she does not love him for himself. About halfway through the film, the Father (Sebastian Lach), who the Boy has never met, turns up to help fill the emotional void in his son’s life. The driving question ultimately becomes how far will the Boy go to numb his anger and loneliness? The film’s three principal actors are outstanding, and the complications in the mother-son relationship are well explored (often behaviorally rather than verbally). But director Kuba Czekaj’s The Erlprince suffers from fast-cutting, electronic voices, and other distractions that dampen the emotional impact of the story. Not recommended. (T. Keogh)