Vanya on 42nd Street (1994)

User Rating:

7.3/10   

Director:

Louis Malle

Writers:

Anton Chekhov (play)
David Mamet (play)

Release Date:

19 October 1994 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Plot:

New York actors rehearse Chekhov's "Uncle Vanya" in a rundown theater.

Plot Keywords:

Theater | Behind The Scenes | Foreign Language Adaptation | Times Square | Independent Film

Awards:

2 wins & 5 nominations

Cast

Phoebe Brand	...	Nanny
Lynn Cohen	...	Maman
George Gaynes	...	Serybryakov
Jerry Mayer	...	Waffles
Julianne Moore	...	Yelena
Larry Pine	...	Dr. Astrov
Brooke Smith	...	Sonya
Wallace Shawn	...	Vanya
Andre Gregory	...	Himself
Madhur Jaffrey	...	Mrs. Chao

Runtime:

119 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Australia:G | France:U | Germany:6 (w) | Spain:T | Sweden:7 | UK:U | USA:PG

Filming Locations:

New Amsterdam Theater - 214 West 42nd Street, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA

Company:

Channel Four Films

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Melinda and Melinda (2004)

All Good

This is a beautiful inquiry into the human condition. If you doubt that Chekhov was a brilliant writer, then this will be your gateway to excellence. The movie sports a wonderful cast while supposedly filmed during a dress-rehearsal. This is truly a movie to watch when in a serious and reflective mood, but despite such, it is a must see and an insightful gift from a phenomenal writer.

Like many slice of life films, this explores the hearts of the characters. Their desires and dreams, like many of us, do not reflect what becomes of their lives. Thus a questioning must occur. Am I dealt this hand or could I have been more?

If you like slice of life films, this is a must see.