Unfinished Piece for the Player Piano (1977)

The film is based on the works by Russian writer Anton Chekhov. This is a picture of life of the Russian gentry in the late 19th century. Without a grain of sentimentality, the director reveals the moral bankruptcy of his heroes. A village teacher, Platonov, is undergoing an emotional crisis. He believes his life has had no purpose. He is tormenting both himself and his young wife, Sashenka. The films another protagonist Doctor Terletsky hates his patients and his work. The guests staying with a generals wife, Anna Petrovna, are talking about the pleasures of a simple village life, not really believing what they are saying. The retro style chosen by the director and the masterly cinematography (a credit to Nikita Mikhalkovs permanent cameraman Pavel Lebeshev) combine to make this film a real treasure for the lovers of Russian classics. Played in the film is the music by G. Donizetti, F. Liszt, S. Rachmaninov. Awards: Big Golden Shell at the San Sebastian IFF, 1977; Special Jury Prize for Best Acting (Alexander Kaliagin) at the Cartagena IFF, 1977; Golden Plate Prize at the Chicago IFF, 1978 Product Description

A hidden masterpiece

I would never have come across this film if I hadn't seen it in my acting class. We were getting ready to tackle Chekhovian drama, and the professor made us watch it to acclimate ourselves with the pacing and psychology of these Russian characters.
As it began, I thought little of it - the characters seemed pointless and the plot stagnant. But I was trying very hard to see past my initial disinterest and to figure out what it was about these characters that has made Chekhov's work so timeless.
As the film pushed forward, I realized that (unlike American drama) the story was not at all plot driven, but character driven. If you try to define a movie like this by explaining what happens, you'll go nowhere fast. The actors, however, go through such profound experiences that the film sucks you in, and you hang on to every word.
The performances in this film are nothing short of masterful, and I couldn't recommend it more!!!
It's out there, floating in obscurity, but it's undoubtedly one of the best films (English or Foreign) that I've ever seen. October 5, 2007

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