This film clearly means a lot to many people. I think it boasts a terrific concept in its disjointed, nonlinear storytelling, with newsreel footage intercut: somewhat examining history of Russia and on the continent, while - bolstered with the intermittent poetry of Tarkovsky's father - exploring a man's life and memories. The picture is smartly edited, and beautifully shot; I love the music throughout, and the cast give fine performances. The feature offers us some sidelong glances at Soviet culture through the select timeframes, and gentle rumination on our own lives, mortality, and indeed our memories. This would surely be most meaningful, though, to those who lived in the culture or through very similar experiences; more esoterically, perhaps to those who are able to wholly immerse themselves in Tarkovsky as a person and as an artist. Outside of such specific audiences, what we take away from this will vary considerably on a case by case basis. For my part, I see the objective value that 'Mirror' boasts, but I'm unable to extend my appreciation much further, and I just don't get anything deeper or more profound from it as other folks have.
That's okay. We all have our personal preferences when it comes to cinema, and even setting aside those preferences, different titles will speak to each person in different ways. I'll watch just about anything; no matter what descriptive labels you wish to append, I've loved some flicks, hated some, too, and simply felt indifferent to others. Tarkovsky's 1975 drama is very much shaped as a rather experimental, unconventional art film - both in its structure and in the smaller choices of individual shots and scenes - and among such fare that we may call its nearest kin, I have indeed loved some, hated some, and been indifferent to others. This piece I actually very much like, and I find it rather fascinating. If you're looking for greater enthusiasm, though, or some reflection on the grander thoughts and ideas herein, I cannot provide any such illumination. If nothing else, that surely accentuates how the viewing experience will hold significantly larger or smaller degrees of favor from one person to the next. C'est la vie.
I think 'Mirror' is worth watching on its own merits, exactly as it is, even just for the strength of its craftsmanship and the contributions of its participants, and for the ingenuity of its concept and construction. Some bits are certainly more striking than others - including, in my mind, the last several minutes - and likewise more impactful, no matter our opinion at large. I'm glad for those who see in this movie something that resonates with them on a more substantive, intimate, intellectual, and/or analytical level. It's just that if one is not such an individual who will have such a response, then no matter how highly we might admire This or That the sum total will nevertheless feel a tinge flat, and possibly a measure unreachable. Watch, and take away from it what you will; as to the high esteem it has held across the world in the past fifty years, well, beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
That's okay. We all have our personal preferences when it comes to cinema, and even setting aside those preferences, different titles will speak to each person in different ways. I'll watch just about anything; no matter what descriptive labels you wish to append, I've loved some flicks, hated some, too, and simply felt indifferent to others. Tarkovsky's 1975 drama is very much shaped as a rather experimental, unconventional art film - both in its structure and in the smaller choices of individual shots and scenes - and among such fare that we may call its nearest kin, I have indeed loved some, hated some, and been indifferent to others. This piece I actually very much like, and I find it rather fascinating. If you're looking for greater enthusiasm, though, or some reflection on the grander thoughts and ideas herein, I cannot provide any such illumination. If nothing else, that surely accentuates how the viewing experience will hold significantly larger or smaller degrees of favor from one person to the next. C'est la vie.
I think 'Mirror' is worth watching on its own merits, exactly as it is, even just for the strength of its craftsmanship and the contributions of its participants, and for the ingenuity of its concept and construction. Some bits are certainly more striking than others - including, in my mind, the last several minutes - and likewise more impactful, no matter our opinion at large. I'm glad for those who see in this movie something that resonates with them on a more substantive, intimate, intellectual, and/or analytical level. It's just that if one is not such an individual who will have such a response, then no matter how highly we might admire This or That the sum total will nevertheless feel a tinge flat, and possibly a measure unreachable. Watch, and take away from it what you will; as to the high esteem it has held across the world in the past fifty years, well, beauty is in the eye of the beholder.