Sunday, April 1, 2012

Vanya on 42nd Street

Legendary French director Louis Malle's swan song is worthy of an illustrious career that spanned four decades. A group of actors rehearse the classic and timeless play by Anton Chekhov in a rundown theater in New York exploring themes of love and despair while trapped in their circumstances. Chekhov's play adapted by David Mamet is stripped to its bare essentials without costumes and artifice which highlights the brilliance and timelessness of the play. Malle who always seemed game for a challenge found another one that pays off brilliantly as he reunited with Wallace Shawn and Andre Gregory. The stellar cast includes Julianne Moore and Brooke Smith with equally terrific performances. 1001 Films' coverage of films on DVD.

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