Love Film
by István Szabó
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DVD Cover Information
Actor: András Bálint, András Szamosfalvi, Edit Kelemen, Judit Halász, Rita BékésDirector: István Szabó
Brand: Kino International
Cinematographer: József Lörincz
Writer: István Szabó
Editor: György Sívó
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Subtitled); Hungarian (Original Language)
Format: Color, DVD, NTSC, Subtitled, Widescreen
Picture Format: 1.66:1
Running Time: 123 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2002-06-18
Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Model: 2242
Studio: Kino Video
Product features:
- LOVEFILM SZERELMESFILM (DVD MOVIE)
Movie Reviews of Love Film
Movie Review: egy ember es egy asszony
Summary: 4 Stars
At first glance I thought "Szerelmesfilm (AKA Lovefilm)" was going to be one of director Istvan Szabo's less political films and more romantic. As the film continued on, I soon began to realize this movie is just about as political as Szabo's other films including; "Sunshine", "Mephisto", "Colonel Redl", and "25 Fireman's Street". Only "Lovefilm" is a much more subtle film. On the surface it seems like a tale of young love but very quickly, if you look beyond the surface, you'll see a film about a clashes of two different worlds, and a film about a love of country. Thinking it over, that shouldn't have surprised me. As I said before, the film was directed by Istvan Szabo. And all the films I've seen by him deal with the same subject.
Kata (Judit Halasz) and Jancsi (Szabo regular, Andras Balint) have known each other since childhood. And since that time have felt a closeness to each other. I don't want to call it love, because at their young age, do they really know what love is? At my age, I'm not sure I do. None of us know what the heck is going on either!
The two have not seen each other for about 10 years. Kata, after the Hungarian Revolution, left Budapest for France. Jancsi stood behind. Now, after an exchange of a few letters, Jancsi is on a train headed towards Kata.
The film's story structure at this point is primarily flashbacks. And admitedly it can confuse some. I sure was at moments. This is a movie that requires multiple viewing. That may turn off some people. It makes the film sound too demanding. But, when a film is this good, you'll want to watch it over and over again anyway.
Once Jancsi and Kata do meet everything seems perfect until each comes to realize they could never give the other what they want. Jancsi wants to go back to Budapest. He loves his homeland, and sometimes sings political songs from his youth. Kata wants to stay in France and make it as a fashion designer. One day she hopes to live in Paris. Hungary will always be a part of Jancsi. No matter where he goes or how long he is gone, he will never forget the one place he calls home. Even though most of his memories are less than perfect. Hungary has had a rather turbulent history. But Kata has moved on. While she loves her memories with Jancsi has a child, to go back home would be a step backwards for her. She has a life elsewhere.
I wonder how much of this is similar to the experience Szabo himself went through. After the revolution, Szabo stayed in Hungary. He even was blackmailed into working for the Communist. Did he ever go through the struggle these characters are going through? Do they both reflect different sides of his personality?
"Lovefilm" was Szabo's third film, coming after "Age of Illusions" and "Father". I haven't seen "Illusions" yet, but, the film does bear a resemblance to "Father" and in both films Andres Balint plays the hero. Both movies deal with people trying to find themself through their past, which will of course immediately shape their future.
"Lovefilm" also has a somewhat ironic title I thought. Just the idea of a film supposedly "about love", would lead one to think it is a happy movie. Not so in my opinion. I found the end rather bittersweet. Maybe the Beatles weren't 100% right when they said "all you need is love".
p.s. About the title of my review. In case it confused some of you, it is Hungarian for "a man and a woman". In some ways I see a connection between this film and Claude Lelouch's "A Man and A Woman".
Bottom-line: One of Istvan Szabo's great films. On the surface it is a story about young love, but, if you look deeper, it is about so much more.
Summary of Love Film
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