Oblomov

Rating:
Summary: odd and beautiful
Review: "...for Ilia Ilyich, lying down was neither a necessity, as it is for a sick man, nor an occasional need, as it is for one who is tired. It was his normal state".
Based on the classic novel by Ivan Goncharov, this is a strange but fascinating film about lethargy as a form of escape, as the melancholy Ilia Ilyich Oblomov (in a wonderful performance by Oleg Tabakov) avoids his problems by sleeping, while his world crumbles around him. His avoidance of making decisions gets complicateed when a childhood friend introduces him to Olga (Elena Solovei).

Written (along with Alexander Adabashian), and directed by Nikita Mikhalkov ("Burnt by the Sun", "Anna"), it has gorgeous cinematography by Pavel Lebeshev, who makes some scenes have the look of old paintings.
If you like your films with a lot of action, this one is not for you, and perhaps its delicacy makes it a "woman's film", though it is a thoughtful, and sometimes very funny film...the scene where Oblomov finds out about the older suitor is hilarious.

This is one that is worthy of several viewings, as it explores Oblomov's fear, his love, the simplicity/complexity of his life. There is a lovabale innocence about him that is endearing, and the end always touches me deeply, with its exquisite Rachmaninov choral piece...a fitting ending to this lovely work of art.

Rating:
Summary: odd and beautiful
Review: "...for Ilia Ilyich, lying down was neither a necessity, as it is for a sick man, nor an occasional need, as it is for one who is tired. It was his normal state".
Based on the classic novel by Ivan Goncharov, this is a strange but fascinating film about lethargy as a form of escape, as the melancholy Ilia Ilyich Oblomov (in a wonderful performance by Oleg Tabakov) avoids his problems by sleeping, while his world crumbles around him. His avoidance of making decisions gets complicateed when a childhood friend introduces him to Olga (Elena Solovei).

Written (along with Alexander Adabashian), and directed by Nikita Mikhalkov ("Burnt by the Sun", "Anna"), it has gorgeous cinematography by Pavel Lebeshev, who makes some scenes have the look of old paintings.
If you like your films with a lot of action, this one is not for you, and perhaps its delicacy makes it a "woman's film", though it is a thoughtful, and sometimes very funny film...the scene where Oblomov finds out about the older suitor is hilarious.

This is one that is worthy of several viewings, as it explores Oblomov's fear, his love, the simplicity/complexity of his life. There is a lovabale innocence about him that is endearing, and the end always touches me deeply, with its exquisite Rachmaninov choral piece...a fitting ending to this lovely work of art.

Rating:
Summary: A lyrical film I have searched for since 1980.
Review: I first saw this film while in college in New York city in 1980. I was studying Russian language at the time and was mesmerised by the beautiful language and the soft, dreamlike view of this man's ennui and inability to grow up. I remembered vividly his calling to his mother when he was a little boy: "maminka pre-ekhala, maminka pre-ekhala" which means mama has come home. He couldn't get enough of his enigmatic and distant, aristocratic mother and that sadness lingered throughout his life. The only other time I found the film was in Leningrad (as it was called then). I saw it in a kinoteatre on Nevsky Prospekt. I was thrilled to find it and have never seen it playing anywhere since.

Rating:
Summary: Read the book; the film is no masterpiece
Review: Oblomov is movie making at its best, although not for those looking for action or adventure. Everthing about this film is beautiful, particularly the music and scenery, both of which play an integral part in the story. Also, the acting is superb, especially Oleg Tabakov, who plays Oblomov.

At its heart Oblomov is a story about a soul's search to recapture the lost love of a child for his beloved mother. Oblomov, the title of the film and the name of the main character, is a quiet, introverted, unhappy Russian in his mid-thirties who is lost in his world of dreams. In much of the first part of the film Oblomov struggles to get out of bed. Only his childhood friend Stoltz has enough influence over Oblomov to rouse him from his lethargy and his dreams. Stoltz leaves for England and Oblomov promises to meet him in Paris. That promise is left unfulfilled.

Oblomov does move to his country estate in Part 2 of the film and he falls in love with his neighbor Olga. We watch as Oblomov attempts to share his feelings with Olga, but he is so insecure and unsure of himself that he can only stare at Olga with his heartbreakingly sad eyes. She tells him that she loves him, but at first, this drives him away. It seems that "his love is this fear. He nourishes it who can nourish nothing. Love's slipshod watchman."(Yevtushenko) Indeed, at one point, he sits all night in a gazebo outside Olga's window in a thunderstorm waiting for the sun to rise on his love. The viewer will not be surprised if Oblomov fails to connect with Olga.

Everything I have mentioned happens slowly and deliberately and might fail to keep our attention if it were not for a narrator who fills in some spaces with commentary about Oblomov's inner life and his history, told in flashbacks and with artistic stage sets. The most hauntinly beautiful music I have ever heard in a film supports the narration and those times when we quietly wait and watch in the countryside with Oblomov as he dreams about a life that might be. Both music and scenery add richness and depth to the story and give it a wholeness not often found in films.

Once viewed, we may select some favorite parts of the movie to add beauty to our day. Great art and music bring us back for second, third, and fourth encounters and this is certain to be the case for many people with this wonderful film. Highly recommended for the lover of theater, art, and music.

Rating:
Summary: Oblomov is a work of art.
Review: Oblomov is movie making at its best, although not for those looking for action or adventure. Everthing about this film is beautiful, particularly the music and scenery, both of which play an integral part in the story. Also, the acting is superb, especially Oleg Tabakov, who plays Oblomov.

At its heart Oblomov is a story about a soul's search to recapture the lost love of a child for his beloved mother. Oblomov, the title of the film and the name of the main character, is a quiet, introverted, unhappy Russian in his mid-thirties who is lost in his world of dreams. In much of the first part of the film Oblomov struggles to get out of bed. Only his childhood friend Stoltz has enough influence over Oblomov to rouse him from his lethargy and his dreams. Stoltz leaves for England and Oblomov promises to meet him in Paris. That promise is left unfulfilled.

Oblomov does move to his country estate in Part 2 of the film and he falls in love with his neighbor Olga. We watch as Oblomov attempts to share his feelings with Olga, but he is so insecure and unsure of himself that he can only stare at Olga with his heartbreakingly sad eyes. She tells him that she loves him, but at first, this drives him away. It seems that "his love is this fear. He nourishes it who can nourish nothing. Love's slipshod watchman."(Yevtushenko) Indeed, at one point, he sits all night in a gazebo outside Olga's window in a thunderstorm waiting for the sun to rise on his love. The viewer will not be surprised if Oblomov fails to connect with Olga.

Everything I have mentioned happens slowly and deliberately and might fail to keep our attention if it were not for a narrator who fills in some spaces with commentary about Oblomov's inner life and his history, told in flashbacks and with artistic stage sets. The most hauntinly beautiful music I have ever heard in a film supports the narration and those times when we quietly wait and watch in the countryside with Oblomov as he dreams about a life that might be. Both music and scenery add richness and depth to the story and give it a wholeness not often found in films.

Once viewed, we may select some favorite parts of the movie to add beauty to our day. Great art and music bring us back for second, third, and fourth encounters and this is certain to be the case for many people with this wonderful film. Highly recommended for the lover of theater, art, and music.

Rating:
Summary: I wept, I lived, I died.
Review: Russian soul is tragic by definition. As tragedy is not sorrow, but the fact of live, which promisses us a pile of dust as a definite, I think this film is all that and more.

Rating:
Summary: Read the book; the film is no masterpiece
Review: This film captures some of the feeling of the Goncharev novel, which is one of the best books I've ever read. As with any movie about a lengthy literary work, this film glosses over the intricacies of the plot and is a superficial study of the characters. But given the intellectual intricacies of the novel, the director has to get five stars for the effort.

A principal plot line of the book contrasting the pure-heartedness of Oblomov and the conflict between this aspect of his (Russian) character and that of the Westernizers is completely absent. Since this conflict between traditional Russian social values (promoted by the Slavophiles as Russia's salvation) and the Euroopean approach to the world (promoted by the Westernizers) is critical to understanding Goncharev, the movie leaves a lot to be desired. The very interesting conclusion of the novel, in which the identity of the narrator is surprisingly revealed, is absent from the film or at least loses its dramatic impact.

For a commited Russophile, and especially someone who has read the Goncharev book, I recommend this film. But for others: skip the film, get the book and read it!

Rating:
Summary: A great film for those interested in Russian culture.
Review: This film is a great film that, if was made in America, would be considered a "chick flick". however, this film is far more interesting than many American films of this kind. Many Americans may find reading the sub-titles too annoying, but after a few minutes reading the sub-titles becomes second nature. I recommend this film only to those who are intellectuals as non-intellectuals would get board quickly. "oblomov" is an excellent work of art! Watch it, you will enjoy it very much.