Oblomov

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Writer-director Nikita Mikhalkov (Burnt by the Sun) combines some accomplished and evocative visuals with a tongue-in-cheek morality play about the price of personal freedom in this 1979 adaptation of the 19th-century Russian novel by Goncharov. Oleg Tabakov plays the title character, an amiable and enigmatic man who, after years of anonymous toiling as a landowner, begins to live his life in a virtual slothlike existence. Oblomov is regarded by others around him as something of a harmless joke, but as he passes the days in bed indulging himself with food and aimless pondering, he reminisces about his childhood and the life he's led, and he discovers a fulfilling poetry to his life. Eventually, though, his celebration of laziness threatens to ruin his life and all he holds dear. The film employs a deft and pastoral visual style to augment the joy and freedom this man feels at being able to control his own destiny, even with tragic results. A challenging and thought-provoking effort, Oblomov is a distinct and original piece of cinema. --Robert Lane

Customer Reviews:

Oblomov.......2007-07-09

Based on a beloved novel by Ivan Goncharov, "Oblomov" combines the sensitivity of a Chekhov tale with the farcical tradition of Russian theater. As the title character, real-life stage director Tabakov is adorably ruffled, indecisive, undisciplined, and wholly empathetic--a perfect metaphor for Mother Russia in the pre-Glasnost era. Mikhalkov wrings a lot of mileage out of his hero's soulful struggles, contrasting the dreariness of the present with the gilded glow of childhood through his adroit use of color and lighting. A charming moral parable, "Oblomov" takes the measure of life, sees it lacking, and then builds to an acceptance of love's fulfillment.

Acquire this film!.......2007-06-08

Up front, this is a great story -- a saga of a very likeable and gullible man who flounders in life and whom refuses to leave his sofa. The story begins in 1859, two years prior to the "freeing" of the Russian serfs and the heyday of the Czars and of the near-useless Russian Nobility. Oblomov's life-long serf-servant, Zhakar, is priceless. Zhakar will quickly have you rolling on the floor, howling with laughter. The cinematography of Oblomov is superior and the subtitles are well-done, quite readable and an excellent translation from the Russian. Yes, the director had to cut a lot from the original lengthy work of Goncharov, but the tale is still well-told. This is one of those films that convinces me that Russian directors have a much finer sense of art and story-telling than do most American film-makers. It represents humor for the thinking person. Don't miss this wonderful tragi-comedy. A rare piece of film art.

Read the book; the film is no masterpiece.......2004-07-05

This film captures some of the feeling of the Goncharev novel, which is one of the best books I've ever read. As with any movie about a lengthy literary work, this film glosses over the intricacies of the plot and is a superficial study of the characters. But given the intellectual intricacies of the novel, the director has to get five stars for the effort.

A principal plot line of the book contrasting the pure-heartedness of Oblomov and the conflict between this aspect of his (Russian) character and that of the Westernizers is completely absent. Since this conflict between traditional Russian social values (promoted by the Slavophiles as Russia's salvation) and the Euroopean approach to the world (promoted by the Westernizers) is critical to understanding Goncharev, the movie leaves a lot to be desired. The very interesting conclusion of the novel, in which the identity of the narrator is surprisingly revealed, is absent from the film or at least loses its dramatic impact.

For a commited Russophile, and especially someone who has read the Goncharev book, I recommend this film. But for others: skip the film, get the book and read it!

Oblomov is a work of art........2004-04-23

Oblomov is movie making at its best, although not for those looking for action or adventure. Everthing about this film is beautiful, particularly the music and scenery, both of which play an integral part in the story. Also, the acting is superb, especially Oleg Tabakov, who plays Oblomov.

At its heart Oblomov is a story about a soul's search to recapture the lost love of a child for his beloved mother. Oblomov, the title of the film and the name of the main character, is a quiet, introverted, unhappy Russian in his mid-thirties who is lost in his world of dreams. In much of the first part of the film Oblomov struggles to get out of bed. Only his childhood friend Stoltz has enough influence over Oblomov to rouse him from his lethargy and his dreams. Stoltz leaves for England and Oblomov promises to meet him in Paris. That promise is left unfulfilled.

Oblomov does move to his country estate in Part 2 of the film and he falls in love with his neighbor Olga. We watch as Oblomov attempts to share his feelings with Olga, but he is so insecure and unsure of himself that he can only stare at Olga with his heartbreakingly sad eyes. She tells him that she loves him, but at first, this drives him away. It seems that "his love is this fear. He nourishes it who can nourish nothing. Love's slipshod watchman."(Yevtushenko) Indeed, at one point, he sits all night in a gazebo outside Olga's window in a thunderstorm waiting for the sun to rise on his love. The viewer will not be surprised if Oblomov fails to connect with Olga.

Everything I have mentioned happens slowly and deliberately and might fail to keep our attention if it were not for a narrator who fills in some spaces with commentary about Oblomov's inner life and his history, told in flashbacks and with artistic stage sets. The most hauntinly beautiful music I have ever heard in a film supports the narration and those times when we quietly wait and watch in the countryside with Oblomov as he dreams about a life that might be. Both music and scenery add richness and depth to the story and give it a wholeness not often found in films.

Once viewed, we may select some favorite parts of the movie to add beauty to our day. Great art and music bring us back for second, third, and fourth encounters and this is certain to be the case for many people with this wonderful film. Highly recommended for the lover of theater, art, and music.

odd and beautiful.......2002-11-11

"...for Ilia Ilyich, lying down was neither a necessity, as it is for a sick man, nor an occasional need, as it is for one who is tired. It was his normal state".
Based on the classic novel by Ivan Goncharov, this is a strange but fascinating film about lethargy as a form of escape, as the melancholy Ilia Ilyich Oblomov (in a wonderful performance by Oleg Tabakov) avoids his problems by sleeping, while his world crumbles around him. His avoidance of making decisions gets complicateed when a childhood friend introduces him to Olga (Elena Solovei).

Written (along with Alexander Adabashian), and directed by Nikita Mikhalkov ("Burnt by the Sun", "Anna"), it has gorgeous cinematography by Pavel Lebeshev, who makes some scenes have the look of old paintings.
If you like your films with a lot of action, this one is not for you, and perhaps its delicacy makes it a "woman's film", though it is a thoughtful, and sometimes very funny film...the scene where Oblomov finds out about the older suitor is hilarious.

This is one that is worthy of several viewings, as it explores Oblomov's fear, his love, the simplicity/complexity of his life. There is a lovabale innocence about him that is endearing, and the end always touches me deeply, with its exquisite Rachmaninov choral piece...a fitting ending to this lovely work of art.

Average customer rating:
A Few Days in the Life of I.I. Oblomov/Neskolko Dnei Iz Zhizni Oblomova

Manufacturer: Ruscico
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Westerns | Genres | DVD | Video
ASIN: B0002HRBU8

Product Description

Also known as: Oblomov Drama Mosfilm, 1979, 143 min. Language: Russian Subtitles: Russian, English, French, German, Spanish, Italian, Portugese, Dutch, Swedish, Hebrew, Arabic, Chinese, Japanese Bonus material: Interviews with Aleksandr Adabashyan, Pavel Lebeshev, Eduard Artemyev; Documentary about actor Andrei Popov; Making of the film; A short documentary "Goncharov's Homeland"; Filmographies Writer-director Nikita Mikhalkov (Burnt by the Sun) combines some accomplished and evocative visuals with a tongue-in-cheek morality play about the price of personal freedom in this 1979 adaptation of the 19th-century Russian novel by Goncharov. Oleg Tabakov plays the title character, an amiable and enigmatic man who, after years of anonymous toiling as a landowner, begins to live his life in a virtual slothlike existence. Oblomov is regarded by others around him as something of a harmless joke, but as he passes the days in bed indulging himself with food and aimless pondering, he reminisces about his childhood and the life he's led, and he discovers a fulfilling poetry to his life. Eventually, though, his celebration of laziness threatens to ruin his life and all he holds dear. The film employs a deft and pastoral visual style to augment the joy and freedom this man feels at being able to control his own destiny, even with tragic results. A challenging and thought-provoking effort, Oblomov is a distinct and original piece of cinema. Director: Nikita Mikhalkov Starring: Oleg Tabakov (Ilya Ilyich Oblomov), Yuri Bogatyryov, Yelena Solovey, Avangard Leontyev, Andrei Razumovsky, Oleg Kozlov, Yelena Kleshchevskaya, Galina Shostko, Gleb Strizhenov, Anatoli Romashin, Yevgeniya Glushenko, Nikolai Pastukhov, Andrei Popov, Yevgeni Steblov

Few Days From Oblomov Life [NTSC] [Russian Language Only]

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Few Days From Oblomov Life [NTSC] [Russian Language Only]
Director: Nikita Mikhalkov
Manufacturer: Close Up International
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Art House & International | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Foreign & International | Stores | DVD | Video
Product Features:

Digitally remastered

ASIN: B000MFGSHW

Average customer rating:

A Few Days in the Life of I.I. Oblomov

ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Westerns | Genres | DVD | Video
ASIN: B0002D4D6C

DVD:

DVD

DVD