Movie Reviews

The Duel

From the novel by Anton Chekhov

Reviewed by Anna

A handsome young man falls in love with a beautiful but married woman, seduces her and persuades her to leave her husband.  They run away to live together in a small town. The story begins with the shocking confession that he doesn’t love her at all and he has made a terrible mistake. The more desperate he becomes to escape the more trapped he feels as events conspire against him. The dramatic tension is compelling, slow and subtle until the explosive breaking point and a rather unexpected outcome.

The central characters are difficult to like and paint a tragic picture of the social conventions of the era, turn of the century old Russia. The lush, saturated production evokes a sense of faded glory and decay. Neither of the male protagonists inspires much sympathy however this is a film about human nature and what people are capable of under pressure. This film is entertaining just for the gorgeous period costumes, exquisite set design and nuanced acting, but if you also like a very good classic literary drama don’t miss this. I give it 7.5

Salt of Life

Reviewed by Richard Nichol

This Italian Comedy seemed like just the medicine for seeing on a drizzly Westport afternoon. And in most respects it didn’t disappoint. The characters were real, the simple plot was light-hearted and believable (especially in Italy) and the film did transport you. It wasn’t laugh out loud funny but it was humorous. However, I found it hard to warm to the lead character (lead actor/director Gianni Di Gregario) and while he was excellent in the role of an older man who wanted to spice up his life, ultimately I found his melancholy pervaded the whole movie. Then again perhaps that was the point. I’m giving it 6.5/10.