The Cherry Orchard

A visually well-realized adaptation of Anton Chekhov's last play, this verbose look at the financial predicament of a self-pitying family of newly impoverished aristocrats is likely to pique primary interest amongst fans of the original source material. Octogenarian director Michael Cacoyannis (Zorba the Greek) certainly deserves credit for opening up the play for the film medium--especially at the finale when the cutting down of cherry trees echoes through the interior of a near-empty estate--and he's assembled a talented cast, including Charlotte Rampling, Alan Bates, and, sadly, the late, great Katrin Cartlidge. A strong optional purchase. (T. Rich)