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The Mirror (1975)

The Mirror is an enigma, biographical, and very unorthodox film about early 20th century Soviet Union.

 Andrei Tarkovsky has been a name on my list of movies I should watch for quite some time. It was recommended to me by a fellow movie buff a long time ago. I didn't know what I was getting into watching this film.

This movie takes what you think is going to happen and throws it out the window both in what's happening and when. A woman sees a fire, walks towards a well, empties the water in the pail and then sits and watches the fire. Two children run to watch the fire but the camera focuses on the empty table instead of cutting to the fire just mentioned. It's throwing the viewer off their game by giving them something they don't expect and challenging you to watch the movie without expectations. The movie doesn't explain what's going on and lets you just watch and wonder.

The sound effects are eerie and add to the feel of the film. Then the whole film switches from eerie towards a drama. Keeping you once again on your toes. Long scenes of just music and events that you're supposed to dissect.

The whole storytelling element is also thrown away too, which I imagine for the average movie going audience would be confusing or boring. I found it intriguing and made me want to sit and think about what I'm watching. Wanting to pause it and discuss it with someone.

The man's voice speaks in narration but nothing of what you expect to hear, usually it would be something to further the understanding of the film but it does the opposite. Once again challenging your expectations. There are moments where I audibly said "What?!" Over and over, again there isn't any explanation as we just sit in witness to what's going on.

The film is almost like telling different stories and not really giving everything in the details of each story. It changes characters and timelines as well as gives you a sense that everything is connected or maybe not. The film is trying to subvert your expectations since you expect everything to be connected so maybe it's not, or is it? It wasn't till a little more than halfway in the movie did I realize everything. I don't want to spoil it for you since the movie is intending to confuse you.

Result: A (One of the strangest and beautifully embracing movies I've ever seen. It's not for your average movie-goer though.)

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