How often do we stop to ask: What’s really holding us back? In Gábor Herendi’s latest romantic comedy, I Went for a Run, that question comes wrapped in layers of quirky family dynamics, unexpected personal growth, and a surprising number of laughs. The film is more than a story about a marathon—it is a heartfelt exploration of what happens when life forces us to sprint into unknown territory and stretch our abilities.
The plot is simple yet impactful: a mother and her daughters decide to honor their recently deceased father’s final bucket list wish by running a marathon relay. But here is the catch—they are wildly unprepared, both physically and mentally. What begins as an act of closure spirals into a hilariously chaotic journey, pulling friends, relatives and co-workers into the fray. Their attempt at crossing the finish line mirrors the twists and turns of life itself, showcasing both the absurdity and beauty of togetherness and perseverance.
Source: A hetedik sor közepe
Herendi, best known for hits like Bet on Revenge (the lavish costume drama about a horse race) and Toxikoma (a gritty adaptation of a memoir about addiction and redemption), or my personal favorite of his the lyrical romantic drama Lora, proves once again that he can shift seamlessly between genres. While Toxikoma tackled dark themes with brutal honesty, I Went for a Run channels a light, family-friendly, “punch pink” vibe without losing its emotional core – and only occasionally tipping over the peak of marshmallow mountain.
Interestingly, I Went for a Run is a loose adaptation of the Czech film Women on the Run by Martin Horský. But rather than simply translating it, Herendi and screenwriters Réka Divinyi and Anna Miklya gave the story a new flavor, and much more depth. The characters feel authentically local, the humor strikes just the right balance between dark and absurd, and the pacing is sharp enough to keep audiences engaged and consistently in giggles.
One of the biggest power weapons here lies in the ensemble cast, featuring stellar performances by Réka Tenki, Dorottya Udvaros, Beatrix Trill, Sándor Csányi, and Rozi Lovas who must have had tons of fun while being on set. Each actor brings nuance and sweet fallibility to their roles, transforming potentially cliché archetypes into fleshed-out, relatable characters.
Dorina (Tenki), the eldest sister, is a fiercely independent lawyer—a feminist powerhouse with a soft side she’s hesitant to show. Emma (Trill), the youngest, is a bohemian dreamer in her late 20s, searching for her identity with a mix of naivety and irony. Kata (Lovas), caught between raising two kids and navigating a stagnant relationship, represents the everyday struggles of balancing motherhood with personal ambition and a hunger for whirlwind romance. Together, their differences create both tension and warmth, resulting in laugh-out-loud moments and much “realness”.
Would you like to hear one more detail that will make you fall for this movie even harder? I Went for a Run was shot in just 20 days—a feat that borders on the miraculous given the film’s ambitions. With no national funding, Herendi’s team relied on corporate sponsorships and creative resourcefulness to bring this project to life. Product placements from big brands like DRK helped fill the financial gaps, but the film never feels like a commercial—just a smartly executed indie gem. A true source of inspiration for today’s indie filmmakers out there!
The production design, costumes, and cinematography are polished yet intimate, proving that tight budgets cannot constrain creativity. The result? A movie that looks and feels far grander than its means.
Source: A hetedik sor közepe
In a world increasingly divided by differences, I Went for a Run reminds us how much more unites us. Family squabbles, disastrous romances, and personal insecurities are universal themes, and the film tackles them with wit and warmth. Whether it is a stolen urn, an annoying cat pissing on your doormat, or a sibling rivalry boiling like rice left on the stove for too long, the humor feels real and earned. We do need quirky love stories, innocently inappropriate jokes about stalkers, and an idealized scenario about what life could look like if we dared to get out of comfort zones, together.
In today’s cinematic landscape, where superhero blockbusters and streaming thrillers dominate, I Went for a Run stands out as a refreshingly human story. Its success—drawing tightly packed theaters (63,000 viewers in its opening week) and rave reviews—signals a growing appetite for independent films that speak to the heart.
Should you see I Went for a Run? Absolutely. If it plays in your local movie theatre, grab some popcorn, settle in, and prepare to laugh, cry, and maybe even reflect on your own bucket list. If not, most certainly I Went for a Run will soon arrive to your favorite streaming platform. In the meantime, get up from the couch and well, go for a quick run. You are welcome!
~ by Dora Endre ~
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