ReelBob: ‘The Seagull’ ★★★

By Bob Bloom

I will admit upfront that I am not that familiar with the works of Anton Chekov.

Something about Russian literature and theater fails to reach me —perhaps because I am a shallow, low-brow illiterate or because I never have been able to fully embrace or appreciate the depth of Chekov’s works.

And that brings me to director Michael Mayer’s adaptation of Chekov’s “The Seagull.”

The story takes place over a weekend at a lakeside country estate, where some friends and family gather. It’s a drama, with a bit of comedy and tragedy, about dashed dreams, unrequited love, generational conflicts and the meaning of art.

It’s all very pretentious with a cast of fine actors spouting dialogue that sounds witty and meaningful — yet, more theatrical than real life.

The movie seems to be a series of confrontations and quarrels, with people exiting and entering scenes as if they were performing on stage.

It’s a story of the unfulfilled dreams of people, wishing they could change their destinies or places with others.

The characters are either famous celebrities or seekers of fame who seem to be discontented in their own skins. The younger people yearn for recognition, while the older folks seek the youths’ innocence, exuberance and challenges.

All in all, it makes for a rather boring visit, with much talk and very little action.

Keeping the movie afloat is a stellar cast, headed by Annette Bening as Irina, a star of the theater. She’s a butterfly flitting from person to person, always seeking — and needing — the stage, whether it be at the theater or at her country estate.

She is a self-centered figure who continuously desires recognition and affirmation.

Her lover, Boris, is a celebrated writer. As portrayed by Corey Stoll, he is mostly an observer; yet, he rues the demands of his profession and the slow creeping of years.

Saorise Ronan as Nina is an impressionable young woman who yearns to be an actress. She wants to be on stage because she craves admirers and celebrity.

Konstantin (Billy Howle) is a young writer who lives in the shadow of Irina, his mother. He yearns for her approval and acknowledgment of his talent.

Others in the cast include Brian Dennehy, Elizabeth Moss, Mare Winningham and Jon Tenney.

They all have singular moments where they stand out, but overall the movie simply chugs along. It is a carousel of conflicts, wrapped in the heartbreak of dashed dreams.

The movie is a downer that will appeal more to proponents of Chekov than the average moviegoer.

Is it a movie worth viewing? Sure, at 98 minutes, it’s worth a tumble, mainly for its performers and performances.

But it also is cold, distant and bloodless, lacking passion and fire. I am not sure if this is what Chekov intended, so I will let you be the judge.

I am a member of the Indiana Film Journalists Association. My reviews appear at ReelBob (reelbob.com) and Rottentomatoes (www.rottentomatoes.com). I also review Blu-rays and DVDs. I can be reached by email at bobbloomjc@gmail.com or on Twitter @ReelBobBloom. Links to my reviews can be found on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and LinkedIn.

THE SEAGULL 2½ stars out of 4 (PG-13), for thematic elements, partial nudity, drug use, a scene of violence