It's a real shame that the first — and perhaps last — exposure some U.S. film audiences will have to veteran Czech character actor Vlastimil Brodsky is the film "Autumn Spring."

Which is not to discourage anyone from seeing this comedy-drama; it's actually a fine little film. But it's also the actor's final big-screen performance before he passed away from cancer last year. And as such, there's at least a slight trace of irony to seeing him in this character-driven film about the fear of dying, told from the perspective of the elderly.

Refreshingly, the movie's wry humor arises naturally, without the sorts of contrivances that similarly themed, Hollywood films often rely on. And that helps make the dramatic moments that much more effective.

Brodsky stars as Frantisek Hana, or Franta, a retiree whose tendency to play practical jokes may amuse him, but also proves to be an annoyance to his long-suffering wife, Emilie (Stella Zazvorkova). She is trying to save money for their future enjoyment, and eventually, their funerals. However, it's nearly impossible, as Franta insists on wasting their money on one crackpot scheme and prank after another.

Worse, one of his practical jokes has backfired disastrously, and Franta now finds himself in the position of having to repay a considerable sum — though he manages to conceal it from Emilie. Things get so bad that Emilie begins to seriously think about taking their son (Ondrej Vetchy) up on his offer to put Franta into a retirement home.

Director Vladimir Michalek and screenwriter Jiri Hubac manage to strike a good balance between the comic and dramatic story elements, and the story isn't quite as predictable as you might think. Obviously, this is Brodsky's show, and his wisecracking Franta is one of the most endearing characters in recent memory — even when he's proving to be a source of frustration to his wife. And as played by Zazvorkova, Emilie emerges as the film's real hero. (She may even qualify for film sainthood, considering what she has to put up with.)

"Autumn Spring" is rated PG-13 for a handful of profanities (including two uses of the so-called "R-rated" curse word) and some brief domestic violence (slapping). Running time: 105 minutes.

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