Dekalog Review: Kieślowski's Ten Moral Tales
9.5/10 — Dekalog (1988)
Pros
- Morally complex storytelling
- Naturalistic performances
- Haunting music
Cons
- Slow and sombre
- Demands attention
Each of the ten hour-long films is loosely linked to one of the Ten Commandments and set in the same Warsaw apartment complex. Krzysztof Kieślowski made it for Polish television, and two instalments were expanded into the films A Short Film About Killing and A Short Film About Love.
What works
The stories are morally complex and quietly devastating, avoiding easy answers, and the performances are naturalistic. The visual style is restrained but striking, and Zbigniew Preisner’s music adds a haunting edge.
Where it falters
It’s slow, sombre and demanding, and the series is best taken one episode at a time.
Verdict
A profound, beautifully made work of art.
