We saw another good Czech film by director Jan Hrebejk. The poem by Robert Graves (1895-1985) provides the film’s title and its outline.

Beauty in Trouble

Beauty in trouble flees to the good angel

On whom she can rely

To pay her cab-fare, run a steaming bath,

Poultice her bruised eye;

Will not at first, whether for shame or caution,

Her difficulty disclose;

Until he draws a cheque book from his plumage,

Asking her how much she owes;

(Breakfast in bed: coffee and marmalade,

Toast, eggs, orange-juice,

After a long, sound sleep – the first since when? -

And no word of abuse.)

Loves him less only than her saint-like mother,

Promises to repay

His loans and most seraphic thoughtfulness

A million-fold one day.

Beauty grows plump, renews her broken courage

And, borrowing ink and pen,

Writes a news-letter to the evil angel

(Her first gay act since when?):

The fiend who beats, betrays and sponges on her,

Persuades her white is black,

Flaunts vespertilian wing and cloven hoof;

And soon will fetch her back.

Virtue, good angel, is its own reward:

Your dollars were well spent.

But would you to the marriage of true minds

Admit impediment?