Have loved Julie Andrews from an early age, having grown up on 'Mary Poppins' and 'The Sound of Music'. Both of which are still favourites. Max Von Sydow has always struck me as an amazing actor, his acting intense but also understated when needed which is some of my favourite type of acting. Am a lover of classical music and having seen what multiple schlerosis does to people the story on paper struck a chord with me (pardon the pun).
While 'Duet for One' is not my definition of a masterpiece or a film exempt from flaws, to me it is a very good film deserving of more credit, rather than being deserving of its near-obscure status. Also consider it a quite brave and powerful film and it is easily one of Andrews' best forays into more dramatic repertoire. If it is not everybody's cup of tea though, that is fine by me. It is not an easy watch by any stretch and anybody who watches a film expecting likeable characters all the time are best looking elsewhere.
Part of me really does wish that Feldman's character was a more interesting character than a callous caricature. Von Sydow does do a great job with what he was given, which is indicative of a true professional and a justly esteemed actor.
Although the music on the most part is great, some of it is a little on the saccharine side. MS is portrayed hard-hittingly and movingly, but it is also not the most balanced or most sympathetic portrayal at the same time.
On the other hand, 'Duet for One' has many fine things. It is not filmed in an overblown way, nor does it look static or too filmed play-like, with it being a film adaptation of a play. While not all the music completely worked, the music itself is great and will be a treat for classical music lovers. Andrei Konchalovsky's direction is sympathetic while not being stagy, some of his best work in one of his better films but sadly it is direction and a film that isn't appreciated enough. The script is thoughtful and doesn't get too sentimental or patronising.
'Duet for One's' story is in no way easy to get one's head round emotionally, it's quite harrowing but it is also very powerful and poignant. Just prepare for a non-easy watch. The back of the car confrontation is as hard-hitting a confrontation as one can get on film. The characters are purposefully not likeable ones and some are more interesting than others, while Stephanie is a very meaty characters others like Feldman are caricatures, but they don't ever bore or annoy as such. Von Sydow does fine with what he has and Alan Bates manages to achieve the difficult feat of making surly affecting. The film though belongs to Andrews, in the best easily of her dramatic performances in a gripping and incredibly moving, without being melodramatic, turn.
Summing up, not flawless but very good on the whole and hits one hard emotionally. 7.5/10
While 'Duet for One' is not my definition of a masterpiece or a film exempt from flaws, to me it is a very good film deserving of more credit, rather than being deserving of its near-obscure status. Also consider it a quite brave and powerful film and it is easily one of Andrews' best forays into more dramatic repertoire. If it is not everybody's cup of tea though, that is fine by me. It is not an easy watch by any stretch and anybody who watches a film expecting likeable characters all the time are best looking elsewhere.
Part of me really does wish that Feldman's character was a more interesting character than a callous caricature. Von Sydow does do a great job with what he was given, which is indicative of a true professional and a justly esteemed actor.
Although the music on the most part is great, some of it is a little on the saccharine side. MS is portrayed hard-hittingly and movingly, but it is also not the most balanced or most sympathetic portrayal at the same time.
On the other hand, 'Duet for One' has many fine things. It is not filmed in an overblown way, nor does it look static or too filmed play-like, with it being a film adaptation of a play. While not all the music completely worked, the music itself is great and will be a treat for classical music lovers. Andrei Konchalovsky's direction is sympathetic while not being stagy, some of his best work in one of his better films but sadly it is direction and a film that isn't appreciated enough. The script is thoughtful and doesn't get too sentimental or patronising.
'Duet for One's' story is in no way easy to get one's head round emotionally, it's quite harrowing but it is also very powerful and poignant. Just prepare for a non-easy watch. The back of the car confrontation is as hard-hitting a confrontation as one can get on film. The characters are purposefully not likeable ones and some are more interesting than others, while Stephanie is a very meaty characters others like Feldman are caricatures, but they don't ever bore or annoy as such. Von Sydow does fine with what he has and Alan Bates manages to achieve the difficult feat of making surly affecting. The film though belongs to Andrews, in the best easily of her dramatic performances in a gripping and incredibly moving, without being melodramatic, turn.
Summing up, not flawless but very good on the whole and hits one hard emotionally. 7.5/10