Name: The Taming of the Shrewd 2
Genre: Romance, Comedy
Released: 2023-12-20T00:00:00+00:00
Cast: Magdalena Lamparska, Mikołaj Roznerski, Agata Turkot, Piotr Nerlewski, Tomasz Sapryk

The opening shot of The Taming of the Shrewd 2 lingers on Kaśka’s face as she scrolls through Patryk’s phone, her eyes flickering with suspicion. It’s a moment that should crackle with tension, but instead feels stiff and overplayed, setting the tone for Filip Zylber’s misguided sequel.

The film picks up where its predecessor left off, with Kaśka (Magdalena Lamparska) and Patryk Nawrot (Mikołaj Roznerski) navigating the rocky waters of their relationship. Their romance is put to the test when both suspect infidelity, while their nosy neighbors—played by Agata Turkot, Piotr Nerlewski, Tomasz Sapryk, and others—insert themselves into every conflict. The premise has potential, but Zylber’s direction lacks the sharp wit and emotional depth that made the first film engaging.

The performances are a mixed bag. Lamparska tries her best to convey Kaśka’s emotional turmoil, but the script saddles her with overly dramatic reactions that feel more cartoonish than compelling. In one scene, she bursts into tears after finding a suspicious text message, but the delivery is so exaggerated that it undercuts the moment’s potential impact. Roznerski fares slightly better as Patryk, but even his usually charming delivery can’t save some of the clunky dialogue. For instance, when he attempts to reassure Kaśka with a heartfelt speech, the lines feel forced and unnatural, making it difficult to suspend disbelief.

The supporting cast provides moments of levity, but their characters often feel like gimmicks rather than fully realized people. Agata Turkot as Weronika brings a certain energy to her role as the meddling neighbor, but her antics quickly become tiresome. Piotr Nerlewski as Kacper tries to inject humor into his scenes, but his comedic timing is off, making some jokes fall flat. The rest of the cast—including Tomasz Sapryk as Jędruś and Piotr Cyrwus as Wacuś—struggle similarly, their performances often feeling like they’re trying too hard to be funny.

Where The Taming of the Shrewd 2 falters most is in its storytelling. The film struggles to find a balance between romance and comedy, resulting in a narrative that feels disjointed and aimless. Scenes that should build emotional stakes—like Kaśka and Patryk’s heated arguments or their attempts at reconciliation—are undercut by forced humor or overly convoluted subplots involving the neighbors. For example, there’s a prolonged sequence where the neighbors stage an intervention to save the couple’s relationship, but it feels more like a distraction than a meaningful exploration of the characters’ issues.

The cinematography is serviceable but unremarkable, with Zylber relying on standard romantic comedy visuals: tight close-ups during emotional scenes, wide shots of characters walking through picturesque settings, and an overuse of slow-motion for dramatic effect. The sound design and score are equally forgettable, failing to elevate the material in any meaningful way. One notable exception is a scene where Kaśka and Patryk share a quiet moment in a park, the soft background music briefly hinting at the emotional core the film otherwise struggles to find.

The film’s greatest sin is its lack of originality. The Taming of the Shrewd 2 feels like a carbon copy of countless other romantic comedies, borrowing tropes without adding anything fresh or exciting. The meddling neighbors subplot, for instance, could have been a fun way to explore themes of community and trust, but it’s handled so broadly that it becomes more of a distraction than a genuine source of conflict.

The ending, while neatly tying up loose ends, feels rushed and unsatisfying, as if the filmmakers weren’t sure how to conclude the story. The resolution of Kaśka and Patryk’s relationship is predictable, and the film’s attempt to wrap up all the subplots in a tidy bow feels contrived.

In comparison to other romantic films, The Taming of the Shrewd 2 falls short. Films like Past Lives, with its nuanced exploration of love and longing, offer more satisfying experiences. The Taming of the Shrewd 2 is aimed squarely at fans of the first film and those who enjoy lighthearted rom-coms, but even for this audience, it’s a disappointing follow-up.

Ultimately, The Taming of the Shrewd 2 is a sequel that doesn’t know what it wants to be. It’s neither funny enough to stand out as a comedy nor emotionally resonant enough to work as a romance.