Maria's Lovers
| Maria's Lovers | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Andrei Konchalovsky |
| Written by |
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| Produced by |
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| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Juan Ruiz Anchía |
| Edited by | Humphrey Dixon |
| Music by | Gary S. Rema |
| Distributed by | Cannon Films |
Release date |
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Running time | 109 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
Maria's Loversis a 1984 Americandrama filmdirected byAndrei Konchalovskyand starringNastassja Kinski,John Savage,andRobert Mitchum.The plot follows a soldier returning from World War II who marries the woman of his dreams, but he is unable to consummate his marriage, ruining the couple's chances of a shared happiness. The film is the first American feature film by Konchalovsky and opened the41st Venice International Film Festival.Maria's Loversalso was nominatedCésar Award for Best Foreign Film.
Plot
[edit]In the spring of 1946, Ivan, an American soldier, returns homepsychologicallyscarred after spending some time in a Japanese prison camp duringWorld War II.Once back in his smallPennsylvaniatown, Ivan settles in, trying to put his life back together while living with hisstoicpeasant father.
Shortly after his arrival, Ivan looks for his childhood sweetheart, Maria, a beautiful woman who is taking care of her olddeafgrandmother. However, he is disappointed to find Maria in the arms of Al, a captain. Ivan's father thinks that Maria is too good for his son, but perhaps good enough for himself. He pairs his son with Mrs. Wynic, a flirty neighbor. Ivan hassexwith her, but he is tormented by the traumas of the war. He tells her that it was his dreams about Maria that allowed him to survive theprison camp.
Ivan is given a hero's welcoming by his community, formed by immigrants fromYugoslavia.During the celebrations, when Al goes to dance with one of Maria's friends, Ivan grabs the opportunity to get close to her. Together they leave the party on hismotorbike,heading for their favorite spot of years ago. He gives her a pair ofearringsthat he planted there for her, before leaving for the war. The next morning, Al is furious and breaks his relationship with Maria. Ivan's goal is fulfilled and he marries Maria, but his dream of a happiness shared with Maria is soon broken. Having adored Maria for so long from afar, now that they are together, Ivan is unable to consummate their marriage, disturbing their happiness.
Maria works as a nurse and would like to have children. Deeply in love with Ivan, she has to deal with her increasing sexualfrustration.On the advice of Clarence, a drifter singer passing by the town, Ivan reaffirms his sense of manliness with Mrs. Wynic, with whom he is not impotent. Maria discovers Ivan'sinfidelity,and a terrible argument ensues between them. Al invites the couple to his engagement party to Maria's girlfriend. In the middle of this gathering, Al breaks off his engagement, realizing that he is still in love with Maria. Al and Ivan have a confrontation. Ivan offers to let Al have Maria, but to demonstrate his own love for Maria, he puts his hand in a burningstove.Maria, very much in love with Ivan, tells Al that she does not love him.
Maria heals Ivan's hand, but the unhappiness between them increases further. She is pursued by Clarence who tries to seduce her, but she remains faithful to Ivan and resists Clarence's advances. One day, unexpectedly, Ivan leaves town by train. Moving to a new city, he starts work in aslaughter house,making new friends.
Left to her own devices, Maria finally succumbs to Clarence's advances. Though she quickly rejects him, she ispregnant.Maria searches out Ivan and tells him of her pregnancy and of the death of her grandmother, but Ivan is now cruellyindifferenttowards her.
Out with his friends one night, Ivan meets up with Clarence. Clarence does not remember him and tells the story of how he seduced Maria, and that she later refused to have anything further to do with him. Furious, Ivan hits a still incredulous Clarence.
Ivan, still tormented bynightmaresof his war experiences, is visited by his father, who tells Ivan that he is dying and that he must come back to Maria. Ivan returns home, admitting to Maria that he loves her baby. Now that Maria's chaste image has vanished, she and Ivan are able to make love for the first time.
Cast
[edit]- Nastassja Kinskias Maria Bosic
- John Savageas Ivan Bibic
- Robert Mitchumas Mr. Bibic
- Keith Carradineas Clarence Butts
- Anita Morrisas Mrs. Wynic
- Bud Cortas Harvey
- Vincent Spanoas Al Griselli
- Karen Youngas Rosie
- John Goodmanas Frank
- Tracy Nelsonas Joanie
- Danton Stoneas Joe
- Lela Ivev as Anna
- Elena Korenevaas Vera
- Anton Sipos as Peter
- Anna Thomsonas Kathy
- Tania Harley as Sylvia
- Gary Hileman as Harry
- Ann Caulfield as Louisa
- Mary Hogan as Babushka
- Eddie Steinfeld as Mendelson, The Photographer
- Nardi Novak as Rosie's Mother
- Bill Smitrovichas The Bartender
- Frankie The Dog as Dave The Wonder Dog
Production
[edit]The film is the first American feature film by Konchalovsky. In his review of the film inVariety,Todd McCarthyindicated that Konchalovsky was probably the first Russian director to have made a major American film with well-known actors.[1]
The opening sequence features excerpts fromJohn Huston's 1946 U.S. Army documentaryLet There Be Lightaboutposttraumatic stress disorder.[1]
Locomotive Appearances
[edit]Reading T1 Northern #2102also made appearances in the film while pulling a freight train.
Release
[edit]The film opened the Venice film festival.[2]
Home media
[edit]The film was released onDVDin theUnited Statesin December 2001.
Reception
[edit]Critical response
[edit]Maria's Lovershas an approval rating of 33% onreview aggregatorwebsiteRotten Tomatoes,based on 6 reviews, and an average rating of 5.88/10.[3]
References
[edit]- ^abMcCarthy, Todd(May 23, 1984). "Film Reviews: Maria's Lovers".Variety.
- ^Stratton, David (9 October 1984). "London Festival Celebrates Film; 'Gremlins' To Open".Daily Variety.
- ^"Maria's Lovers".Rotten Tomatoes.