Martha is disturbing yet very interesting. It's a psychological drama portraying a complex sadomasochistic relationship in which a man, Helmut (Karlheinz Böhm) slowly destroys his wife Martha (Margit Carstensen). There's no background music to underline the emotions of the characters and the camera concentrates on the people (the landscape - be it beach, sky, land, house - remains in the faraway background). As Helmut slowly shuts his wife out of the world outside, so as to have her solely for his own use, the claustrophobic feeling of the film grows in such a way as to become unbearable. There'a moment in which Martha realizes dimly what is being done to her, and there's the last flight to freedom, doomed to failure.
"Martha" doesn't explain everything - it gives hints and is open to interpretations. Many questions remain unanswered. I've surprised myself thinking about the film (Martha, oh why?) days after having seen it.
The interpretations are excellent (especially Margit Carstensen as Martha). This is not a comfortable film to watch but it's a memorable study of human relationships.
"Martha" doesn't explain everything - it gives hints and is open to interpretations. Many questions remain unanswered. I've surprised myself thinking about the film (Martha, oh why?) days after having seen it.
The interpretations are excellent (especially Margit Carstensen as Martha). This is not a comfortable film to watch but it's a memorable study of human relationships.