4 Reviews: Doctor Zhivago, The Virgin Spring and more!
Doctor Zhivago (1965):
6.2/10
In David Lean’s romantic epic based on the novel by Boris Pasternak, the romance is the weakest element. The lush visuals which could entrance on dozens of viewings alone is where the film’s strength lies. The way Lean uses color and mise-en-scene to show the revolution and winters among countless other things is truly an achievement and helps to keep the film interesting amongst some pretty dull segments. The films main characters, Zhivago and Lara are ultimately not very engaging due to a dull performance by Omar Sharif and a lack of character development with Lara. The supporting characters however aptly pick up the slack. Alec Guinness, Rod Steiger, a welcomed short appearance by Klaus Kinski and particularly Tom Courtenay as Pasha all help to alleviate the film from its boring central characters and their uninvolving romance. The second half in particular is rather disjointed with a lot happening and little time being spent attempting to hook the audience. The visuals though are so remarkable with Maurice Jaffe’s famous score enhancing all, making the film worth repeated viewings despite its uninvolving story.
Rome Open City (1945):
7.7/10
Rome, Open City works both as an engaging and hopeless piece of storytelling and as a piece of film history on multiple levels. Not only did it jumpstart the Italian Neorealism movement but it depicted the German occupation of Italy in an unflinching manner which still holds impact. Its timeliness adds a still remaining sense of danger and extreme anxiety. The content and handheld camera work give the authentic feel synonymous with Neorealism, turning the conventions of the Hollywood WWII drama’s on their heads’. Anna Magnani carries the film and its emotional core long after she is gone from the film. Despite being a classic, the film does have a few flaws. Rossellini’s attempts to combine Neorealism and melodrama fall flat. In particular, the use of a score takes away from much of the realism at work. The Gestapo villain and the female agent are nearly cartoonish in their caricatures’. Other than these elements, the film stands up as an important piece of filmmaking that remains moving and effective.
The Virgin Spring (1960):
9/10
Based on a 23th century ballad and later remade by Wes Craven as The Last House on the Left, Bergman’s The Virgin Spring is one of his best, questioning and exploring religion, morality and justice through a ponderous tone and stunning lasting visuals by Sven Nykvist. The controversial scene certainly remains disturbing due to the matter-of-fact way it is shot, making it un-sensational but powerful. The entire film is nakedly told and balanced out by the cinematography which is rich and empty, visceral and concentrated. The film carries a lasting effect; I cannot stop thinking about it. I would rank this with the very best of Bergman’s work which I have seen along with The Seventh Seal, Persona and Cries and Whispers.
A Woman Under the Influence (1974):
8.4/10
An absolutely rewarding, disturbing and exhausting experience, John Cassavettes’ creates an endlessly frustrating but carefully examined look at addressed and disturbed female mentality juxtaposed with unaddressed, seemingly normal male authoritative insanity. Gena Rowlands is a powerhouse as Mabel whose odd ticks, speech patterns and outlandish freak-outs are becoming more and more of a problem for husband Nick played by Peter Falk in a performance just as impressive as Rowland’s. The film does something very interesting by addressing Mabel’s very real mental issues but slowly revealing Nick’s as well. Particularly relevant when it was made it delves into the falsely perceived normality of Nick’s behavior and the added detrimental presence of Mabel and Nick’s family. It also adds another emotional layer by paying special attention to the children who are clearly growing up in an unhealthy environment. Cassavettes has always favored lengthy extended scenes that painfully represent the discomfort and awkwardness of a situation. There are several of those scenes here including Nick and his work buddies’ having lunch with Mabel at their house, Mabel being sent to the institution and more. The most painful of them all though comes with Mabel’s homecoming in one of the most difficult to watch scenes one is ever likely to see. This is uncompromising, in true Cassavettes’ style, in its look into gender relations.
Film & TV on DVD
I have never been a huge fan of Dr Zhivago either...maybe over hyped or maybe expected more from lean. Either way the visuals are rewarding.
the Virgin Spring blew me away when I first saw it many years ago. Time to dip into that pool again methinks.
Gena Rowlands in A Woman Under the Influence is certainly one of the best female performances I have ever witnessed. Emotionally exhausting the film offers so many subtleties worthy of examination it demands repeat screenings.
Cinema Enthusiast
Thoughts from a Cinephile
Thoughts from a TV Watcher