Mirror
I always expect something unexpected when I come for a Tarkovsky's filmography and I ofc, came in with totally blank canvas for Tarkovsky's movie magic to color me. So, without much to expect, I jump right in.
Mirror is a drama that is supposedly loosely autobiographical movie that has a very lynchian way of direction. He uses memories and past in a way that could leave anyone scratching thier heads. But he did intend on making such a movie as to truly emulate how a person reminisceshis childhood and how things back then and now change through perception and as he grows older. The non-linear format can catch many off guard and the mediative pacing is very indulgent but it was a two bladed sword for me, overall.
Cinematography is just a treat to watch. Some shots from this movie will always be immortal and just something that can't be put to words. Uptill now, this has to be the most beautiful Tarkovsky movie, not just thematically but visually as well.
Margarita Terekhova as Mother is phenomenal with what she was able to bring to this movie. Her eyes, her mannerism and her subtleness brings a feeling of melancholy and pity for all the mothers who were struggling those days of wars. The way she portrayed both characters so distinctively is simply admirable. A tour de force, indeed.
Ignat Daniltsev also delivers with his performance. The way he plays both the young narrator and his son, just like the character of mother, there is a lot of similarities and yet Tarkovsky doesn't ignore the differences.
The way actors play different characters to highlight thier similarities and differences whilst making us dive into the subconscious mind of the Narrator is genius, tbh
My gripe with the movie is sadly, personal. The themes of the movie doesn't hit home to me and the non linear screenplay took me away from the emotional core that could have been poetic and memorable. It has many metaphorical visuals that are absolutely stunning but very hard to decipher. Yet again, Tarkovsky said just feel the movie and all but I cant help it.
Again, I blame my expectations and it led me to believe it would be emotional and riveting as Solaris but its non linear screenplay and its hit and miss metaphor filled visuals took me out completely and I couldn't connect with it and I think its just matter of time and perspective, which calls for a second viewing in a near future. I loved the visuals but compared to his other works I have watched, it feels a bit distant and I wasn't emotionally invested in it like I thought I would.