Just For Kicks (1989)
A Hungarian dark comedy about a small-time swindler whose carefully managed double life collapses under the weight of three relentless tormentors.
Just For Kicks - Movie Information
- Original Title: A hecc
- Release Year: 1989
- Directed by: Péter Gárdos
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Comedy
- Runtime: 1h 29m
- Original Language: Hungarian
- Spoken Languages: Hungarian
- Release Date (Theatrical): February 1, 1989 (Hungary)
- Production Countries: Hungary
Just For Kicks - Plot
The life of Tamás, antiquities dealer, runs in a normal, everyday way, he is stealing, swindling, cheating on his wife just like everybody else. Suddenly three men, who live in the attic, start harassing him. They construct coarse and unpleasant schemes against him and carry them into effect at the most unexpected times and places.
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Just For Kicks - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Péter Gárdos
Main Cast
- Gábor Reviczky
- Armin Mueller-Stahl
- Dorottya Udvaros
- Dezső Garas
- Enikő Eszenyi
- Péter Andorai
- Juli Básti
- Mari Törőcsik
- László Sinkó
Just For Kicks - FAQs
What is Just For Kicks about?
Just For Kicks follows Tamás, an antiques dealer who steals, swindles, and cheats his way through everyday life. His comfortable routine is upended when three men living in his attic begin devising elaborate, humiliating schemes against him at the most unexpected moments and places.
Who directed Just For Kicks?
Just For Kicks was directed by Péter Gárdos, a Hungarian filmmaker. The film showcases his sharp comedic sensibility and his ability to blend absurdist situations with pointed social commentary on everyday moral compromises in Hungarian society.
Who are the main actors in Just For Kicks?
The film boasts a strong ensemble cast led by Gábor Reviczky and the internationally acclaimed Armin Mueller-Stahl. They're joined by Dorottya Udvaros, Dezső Garas, Enikő Eszenyi, Péter Andorai, Juli Básti, and the legendary Mari Törőcsik.
Where can you watch Just For Kicks online?
You can check current streaming and viewing options for Just For Kicks on JustWatch, which tracks availability across platforms in your region. Options may include rental, purchase, or streaming depending on where you are located.
Why do the three men torment Tamás in the film?
The film deliberately keeps the motivations of the three attic-dwelling men ambiguous, which is central to its dark comedic tension. Their harassment feels arbitrary and relentless, mirroring the random misfortunes that can befall anyone — a satirical twist on Tamás's own casual dishonesty.
Is Just For Kicks a social satire?
Very much so. The film uses its absurdist premise to poke fun at the moral compromises of ordinary life in late-1980s Hungary. Tamás is presented as a perfectly average man — his cheating and swindling are framed as unremarkable, making the comedy both sharp and uncomfortably relatable.
When was Just For Kicks released?
Just For Kicks premiered in Hungary on February 1, 1989. It was released during a fascinating transitional period in Hungarian cinema, just as the country was approaching the end of the communist era, giving the film's social comedy an added layer of cultural resonance.
What are some movies similar to Just For Kicks?
If you enjoyed Just For Kicks, you might also like Duplex (2003), Clear History (2013), Things Change (1988), or Easy Money (1983). These films share a similar blend of dark comedy, scheming characters, and situations where everyday life spirals into delightful chaos.
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