The Sea Gull

Sidney Lumet has a mighty reputation for adaptations of classic theater to the screen. "Long Day's Journey Into Night" remains something of a masterpiece while "Twelve Angry Men", "A View From the Bridge" and "The Fugitive Kind" are works of distinction.

Filled with excellent performances and moved smoothly off the stage to the outdoors Sidney Lumet's interpretation of Anton Chekov's The Seagull is an impressive transition to celluloid. Told in a languid low key with minimal but effective camera movement Lumet with patient deliberation slowly builds the play to its powerful climax without hardly ever raising its voice.

Don't be fooled by the other positive reviews. It's shocking how so many talented people could so egregiously misunderstand Chekhov and his intentions in this play.

This is a pretty story of Indian life marred only by photography that is rather dim and unsatisfactory all the way through. It concerns the love of an Indian couple, which is temporarily ruffled by the appearance of another native girl.

I am Russian and this is almost the best "Seagull" I've ever seen. Period.

Years ago I went to a production of The Cherry Orchard in which a friend of mine was appearing. Watching The Sea Gull today I was struck by the fact that once again Chekhov used a rural setting for a play with a group of characters away from the hustle and bustle of Russian urban life.

Too long and philosophic for the modern movie viewer. Dramatic monologues that try the patience.

Why is that art is not appreciated? This film was directed by the very same Sidney Lumet of DOG DAY AFTERNOON, TWELVE ANGRY MAN etc fame, and it gets a 5 from 38 IMDb voters!!