The tone of this film is dreamy and almost surreal, betraying the literary background of its screenwriter (Horia Lovinescu). This style and its erratic subject may have been the cause for its interdiction by the Communist regime back then, which contributed to its cult aura. But the discrepancy between its goals and means makes it rather tiresome to watch.
It's a story of failure: lack of communication, disillusions, and finally death. Two estranged brothers, one a dissolute and the other a successful actor and rational man, try to get together and later in the film are rivaling for a charming and mysterious girl, who was a fan of the actor. The story unfolds slowly, many lines are contrived (and most characters talk and behave the same), some almost unbelievable situations and the many sudden mood swings don't explain much of their motivations, and the overall dreamlike treatment is enhanced by the nightmarish soundtrack (most of the time overpowering the actors voices - was this another pretentious 'symbol' or just plain bad sound recording or editing?).
All three main actors are very good and they have tried their best for this film, which admittedly is not for the average viewer (or is it just a flop, in short?). The hidden gem here is Ileana Popovici, an undeservedly neglected great actress who was not only absolutely gorgeous in her prime (albeit in a subdued and not self-conscious way), but especially one of the most natural actors ever, full of innocence, charm and feminine mystery. She thinks rather high of this film, which is why I watched it, but all in all it looks at best raw and unpolished, despite its ambitious intentions.
It's a story of failure: lack of communication, disillusions, and finally death. Two estranged brothers, one a dissolute and the other a successful actor and rational man, try to get together and later in the film are rivaling for a charming and mysterious girl, who was a fan of the actor. The story unfolds slowly, many lines are contrived (and most characters talk and behave the same), some almost unbelievable situations and the many sudden mood swings don't explain much of their motivations, and the overall dreamlike treatment is enhanced by the nightmarish soundtrack (most of the time overpowering the actors voices - was this another pretentious 'symbol' or just plain bad sound recording or editing?).
All three main actors are very good and they have tried their best for this film, which admittedly is not for the average viewer (or is it just a flop, in short?). The hidden gem here is Ileana Popovici, an undeservedly neglected great actress who was not only absolutely gorgeous in her prime (albeit in a subdued and not self-conscious way), but especially one of the most natural actors ever, full of innocence, charm and feminine mystery. She thinks rather high of this film, which is why I watched it, but all in all it looks at best raw and unpolished, despite its ambitious intentions.