Last Year at Marienbad
Posted: Mon Feb 04, 2008 8:22 am
The 1961 French New Wave classic LAST YEAR AT MARIENBAD is getting a major theatrical reissue through Rialto Pictures, so I just saw it for the first time recently. And it has many instances of people standing frozen or near-motionless throughout. The story is an elliptical, dream-like circle about memory and obsession, and the many moments of still people are meant to reflect a sort of empty feeling of set dressing among its ornate setting. It is a direct influence on filmmakers like David Lynch as well as commercials and fashion shoots: star Delphine Seyrig's costumes were designed by an uncredited Coco Chanel.
There is an OOP DVD that can be located, though there will be a much better one in the near future from The Criterion Collection. Otherwise, it is worth trying to see the film on a big screen if it should get booked at a revival theatre or film series near you.
There is an OOP DVD that can be located, though there will be a much better one in the near future from The Criterion Collection. Otherwise, it is worth trying to see the film on a big screen if it should get booked at a revival theatre or film series near you.