Tony Award-winning theater director Michael Mayer’s adaptation of Anton Chekhov’s classic 1896 play focuses on the summer residents of an idyllic lakeside estate located about 50 miles from Moscow. Annette Bening dazzles as aging Irina Arkadina, a narcissistic diva who arrives at the country dacha of her elderly, ailing brother Sorin (Brian Dennehy), bringing along celebrated short-story writer Boris Trigorin (Corey Stoll), who loves fishing. Meanwhile, hapless schoolteacher Medvedenko (Michael Zegen) pursues the estate manager’s daughter Masha (Elisabeth Moss), an aspiring actress who is in love with the penniless young playwright Konstantin Treplyov (Billy Howle), who desires manipulative Nina Zarechnaya (Saoirse Ronan), a teenage neighbor who fancies Trigorin, with the latter ostensibly sleeping with Treplyov’s elitist mother. Got that? Plus, there’s Masha’s mother, Paulina Andreyvna (Mare Winningham), and Dr. Dorn (Jon Tenney), who serves as a compassionate observer. Not surprisingly, a melancholy mood reigns supreme, while much vodka is consumed (plus there’s a failed suicide attempt and a seagull crashes to earth). The film re-arranges some pivotal Chekhov dialogue, diluting and distracting from some of the narrative’s comedic impact, while upping the pace and increasing the tension. Esteemed director Sidney Lumet didn’t fare as well with his 1968 screen version, starring Simone Signoret, James Mason, and Vanessa Redgrave. But this new adaptation is also flawed, although the performances are superb. A strong optional purchase. [Note: DVD extras include a Q&A with star Annette Bening and director Michael Mayer (23 min.), and red carpet and cast Q&A segments from the Tribeca Film Festival (13 min.). Bottom line: a solid extras package for an uneven adaptation of Chekhov’s classic play.] (S. Granger)
The Seagull
Sony, 99 min., PG-13, DVD: $25.99, Sept. 25 Volume 33, Issue 5
The Seagull
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