Mastroianni's Russian Love “Black Eyes” is one of the most controversial films of Nikita Mikhalkov. In this film, his handwriting is recognized: a lot of pre-revolutionary Russia and nostalgia for it, incendiary gypsy motifs, Russian songs and dances, tender and touching musical compositions that take by the soul, the most beautiful landscape sketches, all that we saw in other works of the master.
By the way, I was surprised by the fact that the film was very highly appreciated by critics not only in Europe, but also in America, since it is absolutely Russian cinema. In the USSR, the picture was treated with distrust and rather skeptical. If we talk about Chekhov’s motifs, then I see them in the formal depiction of the writer’s literary heroes, but nothing more. But the very atmosphere, emotions, pictures and images of the film remind me more of Bunin’s worldview, its aesthetics of impossible, but mutual love, its romantic instability in life, painful and tragic pain in the relationship between a man and a woman. But I did not find the Chekhov gun hanging on the wall anywhere, although the very life of the main character Romano (Marcello Mastroianni) is woven from serious experiences, passions and unrealization. Will the gun shoot? In its own way, in the final scene of the film, worthy of all conceivable and unthinkable film awards, which can only be awarded to the most brilliant actor who played with tear, in Italian and Russian passionately and selflessly.
In some places, incomprehensible, warm and at the same time detached, complex and simple, strong and weak Romano cannot but conquer the heart of the Russian audience. The hero Mastroianni is touching in his romantic impulses. Anna (Elena Safonov) simply had no choice, she fell in love once and for all. This heroine occupies a significant part of Romano's memories, this quiet and at the same time hysterical nature became his torment. Hot blood could not calm down, a man in love makes a true feat - he goes to Russia to see Anna.
The heroine Safonova has very few words, but many gestures, looks, talking about the real and the very first love for the Italian. Unforgettable scenes and portraits of a young and charming actress, shot close-up.
The plot of the film is slow, slowly developing from dialogue and memories. One only has to watch ten minutes of the film, as imperceptibly drawn into the Russian-Italian magic.
Thank you for participating in this film to Russian stars who portrayed the color and unusualness of our people sometimes pathetic and slightly caricatured, but so accurately and truthfully. The main applause, of course, Marcello Mastroianni for the incredible role.
But something was missing. So...
9 out of 10