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Charlatan is a Czech biographical drama film that follows the life of a famous Czech herbalist, Jan Mikolášek, also known as the 'Healer of Millions', who lived between 1887 and 1973. The film is directed by Agnieszka Holland and stars Ivan Trojan as Jan, Josef Trojan as his son, Josef, and Juraj Loj as Mikolášek's younger self.

The movie is set in post-World War II Czechoslovakia, where the country is under communist rule, and the government controls medical practice. Mikolášek, a self-taught herbalist, becomes a populist figure amongst Czechs, due to his supposed ability to cure various ailments with his unconventional and unique methods. Considered an eccentric of sorts, Mikolášek's story is a fascinating one not only because of his healing abilities but also because of his personal life and eventual downfall.

The film is divided into three different timelines - Mikolášek's childhood, his adulthood during the Second World War, and his later years. All three timelines are interconnected, and they give the audience a complete and encompassing view of Mikolášek's journey.

The childhood timeline is emotional and informative. It showcases Mikolášek's relationship with his family and how he learned about herbalism. The audience also gets to see how his humble beginnings and poverty-stricken childhood would later shape his adult life. The wartime timeline is more dramatic and intense, showcasing how Mikolášek used his knowledge of herbalism to treat soldiers in the war, and also how he falls in love with his patient. It's a touching love story that adds an extra layer of depth to Mikolášek's character.

The later years timeline is the main focus of the film, showing how Mikolášek falls out of favor with the government and is persecuted for practicing medicine without a proper license. The film also delves into his personal life, including his complicated relationship with his son, Josef. Through this timeline, the audience sees how Mikolášek's pride and stubbornness are his downfall, ultimately leading to his demise.

Overall, Charlatan is a beautifully crafted film that tells an incredible true story about a healer whose unusual methods brought him acclaim and scorn in equal measure. The performances of the cast are incredibly strong, with Ivan Trojan standing out as the lead character, perfectly capturing the eccentricity and complexity of Mikolášek's character. The cinematography is also noteworthy, with scenes of the beautiful Czech countryside perfectly juxtaposing the darker moments of the film.

The movie takes a deeply personal journey through the life of Mikolášek, taking the audience along each step of the way, and showing us how he developed his knowledge and expertise in the traditional herbalist cure. It raises pertinent questions regarding medical training, knowledge, and expertise, and teaches how knowledge doesn't necessarily require classroom lessons. It immerses the audience in roughly five decades of Czech history, seamlessly blending the events of those with the personal story of Mikolášek's life.

In summary, Charlatan is a tender portrayal of a character that is hard to put in a box, a film that raises pertinent questions about the knowledge of conventional medicine over traditional healing methods, and an undeniably beautiful and moving movie that leaves a lasting impression on the viewers.

Charlatan is a 2021 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 58 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.8 and a MetaScore of 66.