Starring: David Hayman, Udo Keir, Olivia Silhavy, Kineret Peled
Distributor: Vendetta Films
Runtime: 96 mins. Reviewed in Mar 2023
Reviewer: Fr Peter Malone msc
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Mr Polsky is a Holocaust survivor, living an isolated life in Colombia. Suddenly he has a neighbour who he becomes convinced is Hitler and it becomes an obsession to prove that.
This is a small entertaining film, with some expected developments and some unexpected twists.
Interestingly, it is a Polish-Israeli production, filmed in Latin America. The film will appeal to Jewish audiences around the world, especially those with sad memories. My Neighbor Adolf opens in Eastern Europe in 1934 with a vignette of a Jewish family, gathered together, the father with his new camera, the family posing for a group photo, and a focus on the black roses especially grown in their garden. The photo will have a significant place in the memory of the father.
The film then moves almost 30 years on, and 15 years after the end of World War II – 1960. We see some newspaper headlines that Adolf Eichmann has been tracked down in Argentina and apprehended. So, we are introduced to the setting of many of the Nazi regime seeking refuge and hiding in Latin America.
But this is a story of Mr Polsky – a wonderful performance by British actor Hayman. Hayman is the father of that initial family, the sole survivor of the concentration camps, living a secluded life in the hills of Colombia. He has the photo, the memories, and is growing black roses.
But, of course, the title is arresting. The name Adolf immediately conjures Hitler – and it was the name also of Eichmann. And, the mention of neighbour in the title, surely indicates that there is going to be a lot of unneighbourly activity. And, more or less, this happens.
First comes the intrusion of a German woman, Frau Katenbrunner, who upsets Mr Polsky who resists any neighbours in the dilapidated next door deserted house. But, then the neighbour arrives, along with trucks and carriers for his luggage. He is elderly, has grey hair, a large grey beard, and wears dark glasses all the time. An unexpected and fine performance from Udo Keir. And he has a dog, Wolfie. It is Wolfie who initiates hostilities, getting through a pale in the fence, leaving his calling card, disturbing the roses. Confrontation looms immediately.
And the Adolf? Mr Polsky starts to see resemblances to this strange neighbour and Hitler himself, the blue eyes concealed, the look, and he starts to research Hitler in the books that he has, in newspaper articles, ticking off all the characteristics he finds in his neighbour, left-handed, bad temper, teetotal, vegetarian, painter of ruins, certain that this is Hitler. But, in his visits to the Israeli office, he is met by stern scepticism no matter what the evidence he produces.
Chess is at the centre of the story and, before long, for good or for ill, the two men are playing chess – which does give the opportunity for Mr Polsky to search his neighbour’s house, finding a locked steel box. But, some moments of doubt as the neighbour paints a genial portrait of Mr Polsky (though in Hitler’s style), actually drinks, makes some suggestive remarks about Frau Kaltenbrunner.
Probably enough said about the plot – but, we can say tantalisingly, that it does not all work out as we might have anticipated (except, perhaps, Mr Polsky battering Wolfie with his shovel).
This is a small fable, appealing in its way, even in the conflict between Mr Polsky and his neighbour – but, ultimately, believing that there is a great deal of goodness in human nature and that we are all victims.
Poland/Israel/Columbia
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