Do I Still Get On Your Nerves?

In Michał Szcześniak's first feature documentary, two conflicting neighbours who appear to have little in common begin to develop an unexpected affection for each other. Following Mariusz and Monika's volatile relationship, the observational camera uncovers moments of tenderness and shared ambition. The Polish director captures a fondness on the verge of dissipating, as it's tested by constant disagreements, old habits and a global pandemic. Dictated by the protagonists' headstrong personalities, the uneven pacing can overwhelm the viewer, but their story finds an endearing balance, driven by their playfulness and desire to finish a shared charitable project.

Mariusz is a buoyant saxophonist from Warsaw who likes to party until sunrise, which naturally irritates his neighbours. Having moved into the apartment below Mariusz's in 2012, Monika is at her wits end. Through a flurry of brief interviews, their friends and families tell the long history of their back-and-forth. We learn about her official complaints to the authorities and his charismatic but ultimately ineffective written apologies to the residents. Spontaneous videos of singing and jam sessions contour his cheerful personality while signalling his tendency to party at the expense of others. Suddenly, the energetic montage of music and talking heads stops and we see the two protagonists discussing how they became fond of each other after the passing of a beloved mutual friend.

Forming an honest connection, they decide to start the process of opening a clinic for children with disabilities, a project of personal significance for Monika, who is no stranger to complex medical procedures. As the unassuming camera follows the couple around, it becomes clear their bond is greatly driven by their shared desire to open the centre. When one of their discussions reaches a boiling point, she reminds the charming, but seemingly oblivious man that their relationship expresses only faintly outside of their shared project. Szcześniak drives her point home with numerous shots of their neighbouring balconies, where their contrasting sensibilities and daily habits unfold in parallel.

This sense of detachment becomes palpable once Maciej, Monika's husband, returns from London. The reality of this odd trio quickly becomes the centre of attention for the cinematic eye, which tenaciously captures conflicting emotions and hidden motives. While Maciej is friendly towards the musician and even appreciates his openness, his unrequited desire to bring Monika to London overwhelms their discussions, naturally straining his marriage. Against the backdrop of the Covid-19 pandemic, their intimate arguments become increasingly tense. The all-too-familiar disputes about travelling, measures and quarantines make for some of the most compelling sequences in the story, affirming its themes of connection and unpredictable affection. Uncertain about their shared future and forced to stay indoors, the protagonists nourish their bond by transferring meals and gifts from one balcony to another through a basket bound by a rope.

A story that channels the rhythms of jazz, Do I Still Get On Your Nerves? tags the viewers along with the boisterous ups and downs of an unlikely relationship. Grasping Mariusz and Monika's changeable bond feels difficult at times, especially as it sometimes runs out of steam, following the languid notes of his saxophone. Nevertheless, the intimate camera finds charm and honesty in their shared life, the documentary hitting the high notes where it counts the most.