ARCHANGEL
A film review by Thomas E. Billings
Copyright 1991 Thomas E. Billings
Synopsis: A one-legged Canadian soldier is sent to the Russian Arctic town of Archangel in World War I. There he gets involved in a love triangle with the wife of his landlord and Veronkha, a beautiful married woman who could pass as a twin for Iris, his (now deceased) former lover. An experimental film done in a style similar to silent films. Although the film has plenty of warped humor, the film is ultimately unsatisfying because the plot is so circular and repetitive.
Canada, black-and-white, 1990, 90 minutes. Director/Co-writer: Guy Maddin
This is the latest film from Canada's Guy Maddin, who is perhaps best known (in the U.S.) for the weird and wonderful film, TALES FROM THE GIMLI HOSPITAL. His newest film, ARCHANGEL, is another experimental black-and-white film that, like GIMLI HOSPITAL, is very strange indeed. The film is done in a style reminiscent of silent films (although the film is not silent; it has plenty of spoken dialog). A few scenes even have the characteristic marks (something like stains) that are found in old silent films that are in very bad condition. However, given the film's weirdness, and the fact that Maddin again creates a unique world (the town of Archangel), I would say that characterizing the film as purely a satire or parody of silent films is an incomplete description.
The film centers on Lt. John Boles, a Canadian Army officer who has one wooden leg, who is sent to the Russian Arctic town of Archangel in World War I. He is sent there to assist the Russians in their fight against Bolsheviks and Huns. However, his lover Iris recently died, and he pines for her; she is the center of his thoughts.
In Archangel he is billeted with a peasant family where both the husband and wife are soldiers in the Russian Army. Soon he meets Veronkha, a beautiful married woman who is physically identical in appearance to Boles' beloved former lover, Iris. Needless to say, Boles wants Veronkha very badly. Veronkha's husband returns, but his memory is damaged by mustard gas and he keeps forgetting he's married to Veronkha (he's forgetful, and has a very vague life, as the film tells us). Meanwhile, Boles' landlady is falling in love with him. The result is a strange love triangle, with Boles pursuing the mysterious Veronkha while his landlady longs for him....
The film showcases Maddin's weird sense of humor. When a boy faints, he is revived by brushing his stomach with horsehair brushes (a scene reminiscent of the one in GIMLI HOSPITAL where plague sufferers were massaged with dead seagulls). Early in the film the wife of the landlord offers Boles a fancy wooden leg to replace his peg-leg; we are told "it was her father's leg; I think she wants you to have it." Later, in the trenches, an attack by Huns is preceded by a large number of cute, white bunny rabbits (attack rabbits?) running into the trenches.
The film has a unique appearance and style. It has some nicely warped humor. However, I found the film lacking on a number of points. First, there wasn't enough humor in it to make it really appealing. Second, the plot is iterative (as you will discover if you see the film). Certain scenes are reused many times. Because of the cycling of the plot, you might eventually lose interest in the film. At times I looked at my watch to see how much longer the film had to run.
I should mention that the film has received very mixed reviews. Two local papers gave it very good reviews. However, word-of-mouth advance reviews from various sources indicated that it was pretty bad. (Some of the negative reviews came from fans of GIMLI HOSPITAL.)
As for a recommendation on the film, I would begin by noting that it is much too strange for a general audience. If you are a fan of silent films, you might find the film of interest for its technical aspects, namely the imitation of silent film techniques. If you are a fan of GIMLI HOSPITAL, and you might like a film of similar character (but with less humor), the film is worth considering (understanding that perhaps you might not like it). I found the film to be interesting for its technical aspects and unique character, but it was not very enjoyable (the plot cycling was just too repetitive).
Distribution: Now in limited theatrical release in the U.S. In San Francisco, it is currently (until 10/2) showing at the Red Vic.
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