Nostalghia (1983)

A Russian intellectual (Oleg Yankovsky) is in Italy to do research on an 18th century Russian composer. However, he is overcome with homesickness for his home country. An encounter with a self destructive madman (Erland Josephson) complicates his life even further. Directed by Andrei Tarkovsky (SOLARIS), who won the best director award at the Cannes film festival for his work here. Rarely have I seen such rich and stunning imagery in a movie as Tarkovsky and his cinematographer Giuseppe Lanci (GOOD MORNING BABYLON) have given us with this film. Normally, I would be irritated by the languid pacing that Tarkovsky uses for NOSTALGHIA but viewing the film is like slowly walking through a museum and taking the time to admire the treasures that hang on its walls. The film's initial reviews, at least in the U.S. were unexceptional but the film has since acquired a positive reputation. Nothing really "happens" and its minimalist narrative is secondary to its evocative hypnotic visuals. With Domiziana Giordano, Delia Boccardo and Patrizia Terreno.