It's Better to Be Healthy and Wealthy than Poor and Sick

It's Better to Be Healthy and Wealthy than Poor and Sick

1992 · 108 min · ★ 5.4 · Comedy, Drama

A satiric tragi-comedy about two women and their lover Robert who is an emigrant that keeps coming back. This film shows chaotic post-communist Europe after the fall of totalitarianism. Two opposite characters, women, meet during the Velvet Revolution in November 1989. Intellectual dissident Nona and a Communist secret police boss’ mistress Ester. They meet at an anti-regime demonstration and become friends. They don’t want anything to do with politics, both want to get married and have kids, but also get rich. Crazy plans and risky attempts to realize their shared dreams land them in many sticky situations in the post-revolution chaos. Too much money gets in the way of the power of friendship.

Directed by Juraj Jakubisko · Written by Juraj Jakubisko

Your Rating

Where to Watch

Streaming

Lepsi TV

Cast

Make it a double feature

3h 17m together

It's Better to Be Healthy and Wealthy than Poor and Sick

The Feather Fairy

Both from Juraj Jakubisko.

More from Juraj JakubiskoSee all →

Infidelity the Slovak WayInfidelity the Slovak Way · 1981
Infidelity the Slovak Way
★ 10.01981
MovieComedy
Jakubisko’s comedy about infidelity inside the community of lumberjacks in three chapters. First, a group of men gets to know that there comes a group of female brigadiers to a near village and tries to seduce them, which won’t come out as precisely as they wanted. In the next chapter, one girl got pregnant and lumberjacks tries to solve this by a wedding to a man called Domino. In the final phase, they’re struggling for the successful wedding and are afraid of possible punishment from their wives.
Infidelity, Slovak StyleInfidelity, Slovak Style · 1981
Infidelity, Slovak Style
★ 8.51981
SeriesComedy
A comedy about three flirtatious woodcutters realistically capturing Slovak village life and criticizing insincerity, hypocrisy and male pride.
The Hall of Lost StepsThe Hall of Lost Steps · 1964
The Hall of Lost Steps
★ 7.61964
MovieDramaDocumentary
In a series of juxtaposed images and sounds, Jaromil Jireš comments on the tragic premature death of thousands as well as their posterity due to the atomic bomb.
Frankenstein's AuntFrankenstein's Aunt · 1987
Frankenstein's Aunt
★ 7.41987
SeriesSci-Fi & FantasyComedy
Frankenstein's Aunt is the protagonist of three novels - two by Allan Rune Pettersson and a seven-episode TV miniseries based on the first one. The story is a humorous homage to the Universal Horror Frankenstein films.
The Feather FairyThe Feather Fairy · 1985
The Feather Fairy
★ 7.11985
MovieFantasyFamily
A fairy-tale about an old lady who takes care of snow and Jakub who does not fear death. It reflects the idea of people's longing for happiness, love and understanding, their effort to overcome troubles and win over death. It criticizes greed and evil desires.
Birds, Orphans and FoolsBirds, Orphans and Fools · 1969
Birds, Orphans and Fools
★ 7.11969
MovieDramaFantasy
In the aftermath of war, two men and a woman begin acting more like children than adults, leading to tragedy.
The Deserter and the NomadsThe Deserter and the Nomads · 1968
The Deserter and the Nomads
★ 6.91968
MovieDramaWar
An apocalyptic story of three wars in three film tales encompassing the end of the WWI,WWII, as well as a vision of the world destroyed by nuclear weapons. This film was honored at the film festivals in Venice and Sorrento. Immediately after that the copy with Italian subtitles was locked in a safe as evidence of the anti-communist activities of the director, who used real footage of the Soviet invasion.
An Ambiguous Report About the End of the WorldAn Ambiguous Report About the End of the World · 1997
An Ambiguous Report About the End of the World
★ 6.71997
MovieMysteryFantasy
Set over a two-decade period in a tiny Central European village, this drama not only chronicles a couple's tragic star-crossed love, it also serves as a metaphor for the tragedy of lost traditions. After opening in the snowy wilds as two people spectacularly die, the story jumps back 20 years as young Verona prepares to marry. Unfortunately, voracious wolves descend upon the ceremony and all but Verona and her courageous 10-year-old brother-in-law Goran, who saves her, perish. That day, Verona gives birth to Veronika and promptly betroths her daughter to the heroic Goran. A decade passes and on Veronika's 10th birthday, her engagement to Goran is formally announced at a big party. Festivities halt when a troupe of female circus performers and their sly employer Madina show up. Veronika soon finds herself more interested in Madina's young son Michal than she is in the adult Goran. Meanwhile, the worldly Madina attempts to adjust to life in an old-fashioned village.
Wild FlowersWild Flowers · 2000
Wild Flowers
★ 6.52000
MovieDramaHorror
Seven seemingly unconnected fairy tales - glued together only by folklore, mood, color and light - make up this Czech collection of visual poetry. The original piece of literature, written by Karel Jaromír Erben in 1853, contained twelve tales.
The Millennial BeeThe Millennial Bee · 1983
The Millennial Bee
★ 6.31983
MovieComedyDrama
A family saga taking place mostly in a small Slovak village over a period of thirty years (1887–1917). The first part captures the life of Martin Pichandu in the development of his craft, masonry; in the second part, his son is center stage living in a period of socio-political crisis, which ultimately results in the first World War. After originally airing on Czechoslovakian television in 1983 as a four-part 226-minute mini-series, this production received a 163-minute theatrical release in 1984.
Freckled Max and the SpooksFreckled Max and the Spooks · 1987
Freckled Max and the Spooks
★ 6.01987
MovieAdventureComedy
A parody of Frankensteinian stories. It is a story of a little boy, an orphan who arrives at the Castle of Count Frankenstein - a world inhabited by mysterious and sometimes a bit ridiculous scary creatures. Although each one of them is different, they all share one thing: they feel lonely and they are desperate for a little love and affection.
A Rosy StoryA Rosy Story · 1991
A Rosy Story
★ 6.01991
MovieFantasyDrama
After her mother had passed, Darinka lives with her grandma. In her fantasy she lives her own version of Sleeping Beauty. Her musical talent helps her to cope with illness and fulfill her dreams.
See You in Hell, FriendsSee You in Hell, Friends · 1970
See You in Hell, Friends
★ 5.91970
MovieDrama
As a car full of an assortment of characters rolls down an embankment and bursts into flames, the old driver says "See You in Hell, Friends." The relations between the characters are shown in flashbacks. The pretty Rita and her fiancee Petras meet the old colonel, and come to live in his farmhouse. Rita marries the colonel as well as her fiancee, and has a daughter Christine. The colonel's supposed father shows up, and also makes amorous advances on Rita. They all live blissfully together until two holy women with axes arrive. The women start chopping down trees to build an ark. Rita starts having nightmares and Christine is crucified.
Sitting on a Branch, Enjoying MyselfSitting on a Branch, Enjoying Myself · 1989
Sitting on a Branch, Enjoying Myself
★ 5.91989
MovieDramaComedy
Pepe and Prengel, returning from war, meet Ester and both fall in love with the girl and live together in a deserted house. Fanatic communist, Zelmira, wants to turn their world upside-down.
Bathory: Countess of BloodBathory: Countess of Blood · 2008
Bathory: Countess of Blood
★ 5.72008
MovieDramaFantasy
Bathory is based on the legends surrounding the life and deeds of Countess Elizabeth Bathory known as the greatest murderess in the history of mankind. Contrary to popular belief, Elizabeth Bathory was a modern Renaissance woman who ultimately fell victim to men’s aspirations for power and wealth.
The Feather Fairy - Two WorldsThe Feather Fairy - Two Worlds · 2023
The Feather Fairy - Two Worlds
★ 5.72023
MovieFamilyFantasy
Lukáš, Alžbetka's son, takes off into the world looking for happiness and love. His godmother, the celestial Lady Winter, keeps an eye on him. He arrives late in the fairy-tale land that she leads him to. Fear reigns where once cakes grew on trees. The miraculous ram has disappeared and the royal town is cursed. Lukáš has to decide what is closer to his heart: a fortune or love?

More Like This

Silent MovieSilent Movie · 1976
Silent Movie
★ 6.51976
MovieComedy
Aspiring filmmakers Mel Funn, Marty Eggs and Dom Bell go to a financially troubled studio with an idea for a silent movie. In an effort to make the movie more marketable, they attempt to recruit a number of big name stars to appear, while the studio's creditors attempt to thwart them.
Smokey and the BanditSmokey and the Bandit · 1977
Smokey and the Bandit
★ 7.01977
MovieActionAdventure
A race car driver tries to transport an illegal beer shipment from Texas to Atlanta in under 28 hours, picking up a reluctant bride-to-be on the way.
The Long Dumb RoadThe Long Dumb Road · 2018
The Long Dumb Road
★ 5.62018
MovieComedy
Two guys serendipitously meet at a time when they both find themselves at personal crossroads and decide to embark on an unplanned road trip across the American Southwest.
Iron SkyIron Sky · 2012
Iron Sky
★ 5.72012
MovieActionComedy
In the last moments of World War II, a secret Nazi space program evaded destruction by fleeing to the Dark Side of the Moon. During 70 years of utter secrecy, the Nazis construct a gigantic space fortress with a massive armada of flying saucers.
Hit the RoadHit the Road · 2021
Hit the Road
★ 6.72021
MovieComedyDrama
A chaotic family is on a road trip across a rugged landscape. In the back seat, Dad has a broken leg, Mom tries to laugh when she's not holding back tears, and the youngest keeps exploding into car karaoke. Only the older brother is quiet.
101 Reykjavik101 Reykjavik · 2000
101 Reykjavik
★ 6.22000
MovieDramaComedy
A 30-year-old slacker who lives with his mother finds his life turned upside down when his mother's flamenco-dancing friend moves in.
Vera DrakeVera Drake · 2004
Vera Drake
★ 7.22004
MovieDrama
Abortionist Vera Drake finds her beliefs and practices clash with the mores of 1950s Britain – a conflict that leads to tragedy for her family.
Joe DirtJoe Dirt · 2001
Joe Dirt
★ 5.72001
MovieAdventureComedy
Joe Dirt is a janitor with a mullet hairdo, acid-washed jeans and a dream to find the parents that he lost at the Grand Canyon when he was a belligerent, trailer park-raised eight-year-old. Now, blasting Van Halen in his jacked-up economy car, the irrepressibly optimistic Joe hits the road alone in search of his folks.
After HoursAfter Hours · 1985
After Hours
★ 7.51985
MovieComedyThriller
Desperate to escape his mind-numbing routine, uptown Manhattan office worker Paul Hackett ventures downtown for a hookup with a mystery woman.
The ReturnThe Return · 2003
The Return
★ 7.32003
MovieDramaMystery
Two young brothers in contemporary Russia are reunited with a father they know only from an old photograph after his sudden return from a long absence. With their mother’s reluctant consent, they set out on a remote trip that quickly becomes an uneasy test of authority, trust, and masculinity. As the journey moves deeper into the wilderness, the fragile bonds between father and sons are pushed to their limits.
The World According to GarpThe World According to Garp · 1982
The World According to Garp
★ 6.71982
MovieDramaComedy
A struggling young writer finds his life and work dominated by his unfaithful wife and his radical feminist mother, whose best-selling manifesto turns her into a cultural icon.
National Lampoon's VacationNational Lampoon's Vacation · 1983
National Lampoon's Vacation
★ 7.11983
MovieComedyAdventure
Clark Griswold is on a quest to take his family to the Walley World theme park for a vacation, but things don't go exactly as planned.
Harold & Kumar Go to White CastleHarold & Kumar Go to White Castle · 2004
Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle
★ 6.62004
MovieComedyAdventure
Nerdy accountant Harold and his irrepressible friend, Kumar, get stoned watching television and find themselves utterly bewitched by a commercial for White Castle. Convinced there must be one nearby, the two set out on a late-night odyssey that takes them deep into New Jersey. Somehow, the boys manage to run afoul of rednecks, cops and even a car-stealing Neil Patrick Harris before getting anywhere near their beloved sliders.
Cocoon: The ReturnCocoon: The Return · 1988
Cocoon: The Return
★ 6.51988
MovieComedyScience Fiction
The reinvigorated elderly group that left Earth comes back to visit their relatives. Will they all decide to go back to the planet where no one grows old, or will they be tempted to remain on Earth?
Paper MoonPaper Moon · 1973
Paper Moon
★ 7.91973
MovieComedyCrime
During the Great Depression, a con man finds himself saddled with a young girl who may or may not be his daughter, and the two forge an unlikely partnership.
Something WildSomething Wild · 1986
Something Wild
★ 6.61986
MovieCrimeComedy
A free-spirited woman "kidnaps" a yuppie for a weekend of adventure. But the fun quickly takes a dangerous turn when her ex-con husband shows up.

Rate this film

Your ratings make Midnight smarter