Sunstroke

Sublime fusion of two of Bunin's works, with beautifully achieved juxtaposed cinematography. The viewer is put in the shoes of the protagonist's plight while bitterly recollecting the most hopeful moment in his past.

While the movie was indeed visually beautiful, almost stunning even, I was left disappointed and annoyed, feeling like I watched 2 movies squeezed into one. I won't give away any plot points: Through the movie we watch the main character's past and present events unfold. However, the past could've been a standalone film, the present as well. The two segments weren't connected by a single detail almost to the very end of the movie, and even then that detail is so minuscule and irrelevant we could've easily gone without it.

When it comes out on DVD, I'd watch it again, selectively watching just scenes from the past, then just scenes from the future, treating myself to 2 movies, instead of a forced ONE movie.

How can you include the magnitude of the beauty, cinematography, sweeping epic settings, historical detail, artistic touches, acting nuances, and encompass the soul of the Russian experience? This director has done so with this movie. From Eisenstein's stairway scene, to peasant life touches, to the death of aristocratic Russia, the rise of automatomic socialism, timeless romance and human connection, he covers it all with in depth captures of each moment in detail. I have watched thousands of movies. The masterpieces stand out, the movies that perfectly express a point of view, a story, an idea, a character, or the actor becomes the character so convincingly that the movie becomes a classic. Sunstroke is a masterpiece-Bravo.

Probably the very best film by great director Nikita Mikhalkov. Almost three hours of great cinema but each time I see "Sunstroke" with great interest.It's a magic realism of genius, indeed. His political opponents are trying to make negative opinion about Mikhalkov and his recent movies. However genial art stands higher than politic ambitions. This movie offers almost such variety of colors as reality. It's poetic, humorous, tragic, philosophical, sorrowful, etc. This variety is shown with exceptional talent and professionalism. Great photography, great music, fantastic cast with rather unknown actors.

Martins Kalita is very impressive in main role. Especially he's touching when listens the strange woman singing aria of Dalilah. This scene with his playing recalls me the most outstanding actors of past - such as Marlon Brando. Highly recommended.

Excellent movie, excellent direction and acting, fantastic scenaries and photograph. Unfairly Underrated in IMDM probably by American pie watchers