no Chekhov or Dostoevsky, though from the amount of dialogue one could imply he fancies himself one. Having a character, a few minutes into the film, begin to invoke Nietzche as if the even-well-educated are intimately familiar with his oevre is almost unforgivable snobbism, especially since it seems this reference plays a major part in the film's meaning.
Two key women are deemed so "weak" (indeed, one of them becomes unhinged in a way so melodramatic I found myself embarrassed for her) that they both need strong medicating while the men are just fine, thank you! Wow, that certainly dates the film.
The Sven Nykvist cinematography is wonderful and Tarkovsky's justly famous ability to match it to wonderful music is perfect but it isn't enough for a film to be well-crafted: it must have some sense to it, some purpose.
At the center of the film is the old man's relationship with his son: for all his protestations, the boy is never shown true afffection nor is he presented often enough for the audience to become even fond of him.
Even Tarkovsky's failures, of course, are interesting.
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Topic - (SPOILER) Tarkovsky's "The Sacrifice." Andrei certainly is - tinear 04:43:49 09/28/06 (11)
- But tin, it was not meant to be Chekhov... it was meant to be Bergman - Victor Khomenko 06:29:19 09/28/06 (10)
- Once you get beyond the tunnel in Solaris, I think his films are meant to be grey poupon, but why not ask Chekhov... - Audiophilander 23:44:38 09/28/06 (9)
- That tunnel scene in Solaris is one of the great scenes in film. Contrast that - tinear 03:57:43 09/29/06 (8)
- Beg to differ: That tunnel scene in Solaris is one heck of a non-addictive Sominex substitute! - Audiophilander 16:38:13 09/29/06 (6)
- Strong disagreement: it builds and builds and the color change - tinear 16:44:15 09/30/06 (3)
- Look, if you like it fine, but neither my wife nor I could stand Solaris; it's like watching paint dry! - Audiophilander 23:33:26 09/30/06 (2)
- You both admire LOTR... one need not say more. - Victor Khomenko 06:13:09 10/01/06 (1)
- Yes, we admire LoTR, because we're literate. No offense, but you ought to try it sometime. - Audiophilander 10:29:45 10/01/06 (0)
- Psst! Tin... what if we drug him and drag through some endless tunnel? - Victor Khomenko 17:20:55 09/29/06 (1)
- I get dragged through your endless tunnel-vision every day over on the Outside Board! (nt) - Audiophilander 22:10:57 09/29/06 (0)
- Re: That tunnel scene in Solaris is one of the great scenes in film. Contrast that - patrickU 04:41:55 09/29/06 (0)