After Two Men and a Wardrobe and The Fat and the Lean, this is third of Polanski's early short features to take on the style of a silent comedy. Ssaki (Mammals) actually goes as far in mimicking the look by recreating the flicker of silent films. However, while Two Men and a Wardrobe was at least mildly entertaining, and Fat and Lean was genuinely funny, Mammals is the least effective of the trio.
Setting the film in a field of snow, Polanski has a completely pure white space for the action to take place in. This frees the image of any background clutter and encourages us to focus solely on the two protagonists and their half dozen or so props. The white background also allows for a rather clever sight gag in which one of the men makes himself disappear by wrapping himself from head to foot in bandages.
Apart from that one little moment there is really very little to hold the viewer. There is presumably some kind of metaphor going on, but if the film isn't entertaining, there seems no point in looking for it.
Setting the film in a field of snow, Polanski has a completely pure white space for the action to take place in. This frees the image of any background clutter and encourages us to focus solely on the two protagonists and their half dozen or so props. The white background also allows for a rather clever sight gag in which one of the men makes himself disappear by wrapping himself from head to foot in bandages.
Apart from that one little moment there is really very little to hold the viewer. There is presumably some kind of metaphor going on, but if the film isn't entertaining, there seems no point in looking for it.