[.ca] Steppenwolf

The Magic Theatre: Not For Everybody. For Madmen Only:
First let me say that STEPPENWOLF is one of my top ten films. I first saw it at the age of 22 in 1974 when it was released theatrically and had not seen it again for another 32 years (thanks to this fine dvd production). I was surprised to discover all my earlier memories stirred up, while seeing how much more there was to this film than my previous 22-year old self could have fathomed. Afterall, the story is by Herman Hesse. The impeccable Max von Sydow ("Seventh Seal") plays Harry, a functional schitzophrenic searching for ways to reconcile the war dividing his troubled psyche. His redemption unexpectedly arrives in the exquisite form of Dominque Sanda who portrays a kind of intellectual dominatrix to von Sydow's hopelessly martyred Harry, guiding him through a dazzling gauntlet of social, emotional and spiritual experiments. This film deftly captures the spirit of Hesse's book without compromising its astonishing intelligence and humor. However, like the sign over The Magic Theatre where Harry finds himself, this film is not for everybody. For madmen only. As one of the reoccuring anonymous charcaters says to Harry: "It's all the same in the end. It's all the same in the end. Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha." Buy this dvd; you won't be disappointed.

Steppenwolf:
Haven't seen the DVD yet thus will report later, but saw this about 6 times in the theatre. We used to sit in different parts of the audience and laugh hysterically at narratively inappropriate moments (youth :). While not entirely successful, this is a beautifully cast, highly ambitious film that is certainly worth your time if. It will probably get excoriating reviews, but the performances of the Pablo character and Hermine (Dominique Sanda) and Max Sydow are subtle and exquisite. Do college students read Hesse anymore? Hey, if you can remember the 70's than you weren't really there.