Charlatan

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Charlatan

Released Jul 23, 2021

1h 58m

Drama

History

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87%

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38 Reviews

36%

Popcornmeter

Fewer than 50 Ratings

Few true stories tread the thin line between good and evil as precariously as that of Jan Mikolášek, a 20th century Czech herbal healer whose great success masked the grimmest of secrets. Mikolášek won fame and fortune treating celebrities of the interwar, Nazi, and Communist eras with his uncanny knack for "urinary diagnosis". But his passion for healing welled up form the same source as a lust for cruelty, sadism, and an incapacity for love that only one person could ever quell -- his assistant, František. As a show trial threatens to pry open these secrets and undo him, Jan's dichotomies are put to a final test, with the fate of his life's only love in the balance. A personal tale as replete with twists as the century itself, and a reflection on the price one pays for single-mindedly following one's calling.

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Critics Consensus

Charlatan's slightly dry approach is offset by unique filmmaking flourishes and a fascinating story that make this an engaging, albeit unusual, biopic.

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Michael Ordoña

Los Angeles Times

Holland... deftly moves the story through its present and past and elicits understated performances throughout the entire cast, all without excessive sentimentality.

Jul 23, 2021

Full Review

Lena Wilson

New York Times

Often as thorny as its subject but also oddly fascinated by his near-magical abilities, "Charlatan" is a temporary cure for the common biopic.

Jul 22, 2021

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William Repass

Slant Magazine

Throughout the film, Agnieszka Holland makes clear that she isn't interested in easily digestible pop-psychology nuggets.

Rated: 3/4

Jul 18, 2021

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Carlos Bonfil

La Jornada

In an era like the present, where new authoritarian powers...attack in turn against uncomfortable scientific research, against wokism or any sexual discord, a film like Charlatan reveals great political significance. [Full review in Spanish]

May 28, 2025

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Yasser Medina

Cinefilia

As a biographical drama, it examines the ethical ambiguity and power of alternative medicine, yet what could have been a complex study becomes a scattered narrative, often marred by erratic direction from Holland. [Full review in Spanish]

Rated: 5/10

Feb 17, 2025

Full Review

Francesca Steele

iNews.co.uk

This is a confused but intriguing character study, and an even-handed look at our perceptions of alternative medicine.

Rated: 3/5

Dec 10, 2024

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Bradley J

What an interesting movie. The acting was great, the storyline was very unusual and well done, and the scenery at times was beautiful and other times very grey. What an unusual love story in a challenging time.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

12/31/22

Full Review

Emiliano M

Great interprations and scenography! However, the underlying real story has been stretched so far that the movie appears just an excuse to attract additional audiance from the LGBTQI+ community and those sharing anti-communist feelings. The real story was enough when I take into consideration the high quality standards involved in this production. Disappointing.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/06/22

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Agnieszka Holland

Director

Joachim Paul Assböck

Fritz Kiesewetter

Jan Vlasák

Actor

Ivan Trojan

Jan Mikolásek

Jana Kvantiková

Frantisek's wife

Claudia Vaseková

Interpreter

Charlatan: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

Few true stories tread the thin line between good and evil as precariously as that of Jan Mikolášek, a 20th century Czech herbal healer whose great success masked the grimmest of secrets. Mikolášek won fame and fortune treating celebrities of the interwar, Nazi, and Communist eras with his uncanny knack for "urinary diagnosis". But his passion for healing welled up form the same source as a lust for cruelty, sadism, and an incapacity for love that only one person could ever quell -- his assistant, František. As a show trial threatens to pry open these secrets and undo him, Jan's dichotomies are put to a final test, with the fate of his life's only love in the balance. A personal tale as replete with twists as the century itself, and a reflection on the price one pays for single-mindedly following one's calling.

Director: Agnieszka Holland
Producer: Kevan Van Thompson, Sarka Cimbalova
Screenwriter: Marek Epstein
Distributor: Strand Releasing
Genre: Drama, History
Original Language: Czech
Release Date (Theaters): Jul 23, 2021, Limited
Runtime: 1h 58m

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