The Homecoming

Chronicling the return of writer Alexander Solzhenitsyn to his native Russia after a quarter-century's exile in Vermont, this Frontline episode spends more time on house packing and photo ops for the press than on Solzhenitsyn's reactions to his newly independent mother country. Returning in 1994, the family traveled the breadth of Russia--stopping to lecture at towns and cities along the road to Moscow. While we are treated to eloquent passages from the author's autobiography and The Gulag Archipelago, as well as some commentary on the importance of freedom (even at the price of Russia's present semi-anarchy), there's just not enough focus to this meandering film. Nor do we readily grasp the filmmakers' point in many scenes. Are the photo op segments--which, of course, include the Frontline crew--supposed to be scenes critical of the vulture-like nature of journalists? Is the bombastic Russian music occasionally thrown onto the soundtrack meant to be interpreted as patriotic or is it being played for comic relief? Larger collections with extensive holdings on either Russia or Solzhenitsyn might want to consider; for others this is a very optional purchase. (R. Pitman)