Rent The Seagull (2018)

Only if you like Chekhov - The Seagull review by CP Customer

This is basically a film about a bunch of rich Russian people with huge flaws who, despite this, are presented with some sympathy and affection . Even the worst character appears to have a 'soft' moment at the end of the film, suggesting there may be more to her. While it is beautifully shot and  individual performances are superb, the finished product is a wee bit uninspiring. Adapting the play, which is such a subtle affair, to the big screen is very ambitious- because some of the nuances are inevitably lost. Also my advice is if you don't like Chekhov, this film isn't for you.  

A treat. Perfect casting and excellent performances. - The Seagull review by LR

Quite often in a Chekov story nothing much happens. The centre of interest is not the plot but the characters and the interactions between them. That is true of The Seagull. There are moments of 'action' but they are isolated moments which are only interesting for their consequences. The main interest lies in the wide range of characters and the changing emotions which nourish or impede their relationships. We become aware of different emotional currents - unrequited love, lust, fear of growing old, family bonds, desire to impress, etc - and it is a tribute to the fine acting in the film that so much is conveyed so economically.

Annette Bening is brilliant as the ageing actress Irina who likes to act the grande dame but is undermined by her doubts about her younger lover, Boris. She is a truly credible character - clever, articulate, proud of her acting career, and yet volatile, prone to doubt and given to harsh judgments which she has to retract. I name Bening because I think she was perfect for the part, but the other roles are equally well played by a strong cast of accomplished actors - Billy Howle as Konstantin, Saorirse Ronan as Nina, Corey Stoll as Boris, Elisabeth Moss as Masha, etc.

The time and place are somewhat remote from us today - pre-revolutionary Russia of the 19th century. Chekov was dead long before that way of life was overturned by the revolution. You might even suspect that the advice to Konstantin - do not mope, get a job, do something - could be addressed to the whole landed class. But the interest for us is not so much in political matters as in the shifting currents of emotion which sometimes lead people to do their best, but often lead them to do their worst, saying and doing things which they regret. That is a timeless aspect of the human condition.