Poetic Film Review: Last Year at Marienbad (L'Année dernière à Marienbad, 1961)

In twilight halls of memory and dream,
A film unfolds, a puzzle to redeem,
Last Year at Marienbad, a tale of the mind,
Where reality blurs, and truth is left behind.

A palace of opulence, a stage for the few,
A gathering of strangers, with secrets anew,
X, a man with a past, or so he would claim,
A, a woman with a mystery, and a heart that's tamed.

Their story unwinds, a labyrinth to explore,
A dance of recollection, and memories galore,
But truth is elusive, and the past is unsure,
Leaving the viewer to ponder, and to endure.

The cinematography, a work of art divine,
Black-and-white hues, that evoke a sense of the sublime,
The widescreen format, a canvas to display,
A world of beauty and unease, in a bygone day.

The costumes, a symphony of elegance and might,
Designed by Chanel, a touch of perfection in sight,
The atmosphere, a blend of paradise and purgatory's fire,
A sense of otherworldliness, that the viewer can't tire.

But amidst the beauty, a discordant note is struck,
The soundtrack, a jarring presence, that the senses can't duck,
The organ music, a Gothic melodrama, that feels out of place,
A pretentious layer, that detracts from the film's gentle pace.

The pacing, a slow and winding road, that tests the viewer's will,
The repetition of lines, a monotony that can chill,
The scenes unfold, with little variation or development in sight,
Leaving the audience to struggle, to remain invested in the fight.

Yet, despite its flaws, the film remains a work of art,
A cinematic Rorschach test, that divides the heart,
A masterpiece of ambiguity, that invites deep analysis and thought,
A challenging work, that some revere, while others are caught.

In the end, Last Year at Marienbad stands as a testament to the power of film,
A influence on the greats, like Kubrick, and a work that continues to whim,
A dreamlike quality, that haunts and intrigues,
A puzzle to unravel, a mystery to solve, a work that forever leaves.

(Note: The review in its original form can be read here.)

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