Ivan Passer completed only one feature film before the changing political climate forced him out of Czechoslovakia, but this 1965 gem stands as one of the finest works of the short-lived Czech New Wave. A successful symphony musician comes to a small town to visit an old school friend, who has settled into teaching music at the local academy and playing an occasional funeral. Out of these drab elements, Passer has forged something funny and rare: a genuine comedy of melancholy--a gray comedy.

Excerpt from Dave Kehr's review at the Chicago reader located HERE

Ivan Passer was Milos Forman's writing partner and his exquisite humor and story telling savoir made itself felt in Forman's early Czech comedies. Then Mr. Passer made his own masterpiece, Intimate Lighting, about the quixotic dreams of two musician friends, one who left their small hometown to become "successful", the other still a music teacher and part of the hometown's chamber music quartet. Intimate Lighting vibrates with pathos and comedy; with a compassionate and ironic eye Passer shines a poetic light on our illusions and small victories. To highlight: a magnificently humorous scene where the diners covetously gawk at the last piece of chicken left on the table, and a drunken twist at the end on the "off into the sunset" scene. A must see for anyone who appreciates fine filmmaking, a good comedy, or wishes to take a peek in the window of a time tragically lost.

Excerpt from Julian Semelian's review located HERE.