Review of Russian Ark (2002) by Nick A — 18 Jan 2011

One of the great liberties of cinema is time, which can be cut into or not, but which can ultimately be used to enhance a story, its place, its presentation, its characters, or its characters' emotions.

When that ability is taken away -- as is the case in this ambitious but ultimately boring historical fantasy, which is an uncut 90-plus-minute scene -- what's left is hardly more interesting than a normal day in most viewers' lives.

..even despite the film's rather intriguing story. But that's just it: the term "story" doesn't seem to fit this venture, for instead of a journey with a character through his conflict, it feels more like the following of a stranger (we never see the narrator, nor do we have a real opportunity to relate to him outside his "investigation" to figure out who he is and why he's where he is) amidst drama.

I have a budding feeling that Russian Ark would have made for a riveting novel -- or perhaps a thrilling play -- but it is a movie instead; and it's a dull one.