In The Seagull, Anton Chekhov’s classic play, everyone wants something they’re not getting. Actress Irina (Annette Bening) wants to hold on to her lover, Boris (Corey Stoll). Boris wants the younger and hotter Nina (Saorise Ronan). Irina’s troubled son, Konstantin (Billy Howle), wants Nina. Masha (Elizabeth Moss), the daughter of the farm managers, wants Konstantin. The schoolteacher, Medvenko (Michael Zegen) wants Masha. Everyone is unhappy and take actions that create even more sadness. Director Michael Mayer and screenwriter Stephen Karam capture the essence of this somber group. The only thing lacking would be the Rolling Stones singing “You Can’t Always Get What You Want” in the background. GRADE: A
Good cast. I like Bening and Ronan in particular. Let’s see. Bening is 60, Stoll 42, Ronan 24.
Jeff, you’re got the numbers right. What a love triangle! This is the best movie adaption of THE SEAGULL that I’ve ever seen.
I will try to catch this one, George.
Patti, you and Phil will be impressed with this version of THE SEAGULL.
For some reason, I’m thinking not of The Rolling Stones but of bubblegum popsters The Archies and their teenybopper classic, “A Circle of Blue”: “I love you and you love him and he loves someone else…”
/Same as it ever was…
Deb, I considered Rick Springfield’s “Jessie’s Girl,” too. But “A Circe of Blue” works.
Good cast although I always have a problem with Elizabeth Moss who I find a bit creepy. Doesn’t help that she is a Scientologist.
Steve, Elizabeth Moss is perfectly cast because her character in THE SEAGULL is a bit creepy.
I read the play so long ago I’ve forgotten when. Not a personal favorite.
Rick, all of Anton Chekhov’s plays are downbeat. Yet this latest movie version captures the complexities of Life.
Those I get every day.
By the way, it’s HOT here. 90 today, maybe higher. Sure glad for air conditioning.
Rick, we got some much needed rain yesterday that cooled us off a bit. But so far this Summer has been hot, hot, hot!
It is hot here too. Yesterday was 91, today a little “cooler” but it feels hotter. We’re off to the beach tomorrow (Jones) to see John Fogerty and ZZ Top. We’ll be spending the night at the local Marriott.
Just picked up the new Stephen King at the library. It is 560 pages but looks fatter. The new David Sedaris book (CALYPSO) is great fun so far.
I am a big fan of Chekhov’s short stories, but not so much of the plays. Jackie dislikes THREE SISTERS.
Jeff, I know what you mean when you say Jackie dislikes THREE SISTERS. I have friends who love Chekhov’s stories, but loath his plays.
John Fogerty from CCR?
I really liked them but never saw them on stage …
Congratulations!