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(SPOILER) Tarkovsky's "The Sacrifice." Andrei certainly is

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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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But tin, it was not meant to be Chekhov... it was meant to be Bergman - Victor Khomenko 06:29:19 09/28/06 (10)
It was a homage to Bergman, and from that perspective it succeeded, I believe. It can be argued that Tarkovsky, given his own stature, did not have to do a homage, but that is between him and his maker now... and the film does not quite raise to the level of best Bergman's work, but it has a recognizable flavor, for sure...
For this reason of derivation I do not consider this movie a masterpiece in its own right, but you are right, being a Tarkovsky work it must be seen, as it is a part of fine movie making history.
To understand the director better, you must look at his 1993 Tempo di viaggio - a documentary where he speaks a lot about his artistic vision.
- 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)
    to the near the end sequence in 2001, you know, the psychedelic-color trip.
    Tark did it so much more cleverly, efficiently, effectively.
    I had to interrupt my yesterday viewing of Solaris but will complete it today.
    So far, the memories which I've compartmentalized these past thirty years or so are valid: it's brilliant, disconcerting.
    Have you seen Andrei Rublev? Kind of like Stravinsky's "Rite of Spring." Like nothing before.
    - 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)
      Sorry timear, but IMHO, that tunnel sequence has to be one of the most boring, unimaginative scenes in the history of film! (~{^O) Zzzzzzz.
      A well rested AuPh
      - Strong disagreement: it builds and builds and the color change - tinear 16:44:15 09/30/06 (3)
        
        In Reply to: Beg to differ: That tunnel scene in Solaris is one heck of a non-addictive Sominex substitute! posted by Audiophilander on September 29, 2006 at 16:38:13:
        
        is shocking, but much less so than the contrasting jump cut.
        
        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)
        
        In Reply to: Strong disagreement: it builds and builds and the color change posted by tinear on September 30, 2006 at 16:44:15:
        
        Maybe my tastes and your's are a bit different here, but in this instance I'd rather use my spousal unit as a gauge. My wife is very contemporary in her thinking (in assessing what is or isn't boring media) and a pretty good judge of cinema. We don't always agree (our tastes in film vary as well), but we're in sync about this film; FYI, she considers Solaris a real snoozer too.
        Sorry tinear, but as I see it, Solaris is about as palatable as that plastic turkey King George II tried to serve hungry U.S. troops while schmoozing the WH press corps in that infamous Thanksgiving Iraqi photo-op a couple of years back.
        AuPh
        
        You both admire LOTR... one need not say more. - Victor Khomenko 06:13:09 10/01/06 (1)
        
        In Reply to: Look, if you like it fine, but neither my wife nor I could stand Solaris; it's like watching paint dry! posted by Audiophilander on September 30, 2006 at 23:33:26:
        
        I still laugh to death remembering how hysterical you got every time someone did not like your beloved LOTR... good that you are not getting any of that pre-adolescent reaction in return. You don't like the Solaris - then you don't like the Solaris.
        
        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)
        
        In Reply to: You both admire LOTR... one need not say more. posted by Victor Khomenko on October 1, 2006 at 06:13:09:
        
        If I'm not mistaken, LoTR won more Academy Awards than any series of films since the Academy was formed including Best Picture, but the fact that Tolkien's books and the films they inspired are popular is of little consequence in this discussion (any more than your belaboring the importance of your favorite European grey poupon fare ad infinitum has merit).
        OTOH, if you want to discuss or debate how boring an achievement Tarkovsky's Solaris manages to be irrespective of Lem's work just to defend your own tunnel vision, then be my guest! I'm sure that tinear will gladly clean the pidgeon droppings off of your gargoyle-like facade perched high atop the Paradise Theater, Mr Roboto. :o)
        Cheers,
        AuPh
      - Psst! Tin... what if we drug him and drag through some endless tunnel? - Victor Khomenko 17:20:55 09/29/06 (1)
        
        In Reply to: Beg to differ: That tunnel scene in Solaris is one heck of a non-addictive Sominex substitute! posted by Audiophilander on September 29, 2006 at 16:38:13:
        
        ***that tunnel sequence has to be one of the most boring, unimaginative scenes in the history of film!
        No, that "honor" squarely belongs with the LOTR monumental piece of shit.
        
        I get dragged through your endless tunnel-vision every day over on the Outside Board! (nt) - Audiophilander 22:10:57 09/29/06 (0)
        
        In Reply to: Psst! Tin... what if we drug him and drag through some endless tunnel? posted by Victor Khomenko on September 29, 2006 at 17:20:55:
        
        ;^)
    - Re: That tunnel scene in Solaris is one of the great scenes in film. Contrast that - patrickU 04:41:55 09/29/06 (0)
      His work is extraordinary poetic and strong.
      Certainly one of the most powerful in film history.
      Long live the Russian soul!

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