This film it's worth saving simply for the performances of Greek acting legend Melina Mercouri and American acting legend Ellen Burstyn. Mercouri is an aging film legend who has been forgotten by the movie-going public and has turned to the stage, starring in a revival of Euripudes' "Medea" and doing research for the role by interviewing the imprisoned Burstyn who is serving a sentence for killing her three children in the same way that Medea does in the play. Like the tragedy of Medea and Jason, Burstyn's character sought revenge against her philandering husband and chose the most desperate way to destroy him, and while Mercouri is premiering in the play, Burstyn's flashbacks of the tragedy sends her into a downward spiral, leading to a tragic ending much like the play.
These great actresses give their all to the tough roles they play, and it may be a challenge to audiences to deal with the transitions of the language from Greek to English and back again (without subtitles for the Greek scenes), and Mercouri allows the haggard naturr of the character's destructing soul to really show when the performances begin after some very intense rehearsal periods. Burstyn has less to do, but she makes a very sympathetic variation of the classic tale which as seen in classic Greek theater terms and modern times an interesting parallel. The creative process of putting together a play is greatly detailed, and there are moments of light-heartedness that helps to make the viewer deal with the tragic elements that otherwise would have had this all very depressing movie. Director Jules Dassin does a great job to keep the audience engrossed. Not as morbid as I thought it would be, and of course the two actresses (along with Despo as Mercouri's best friend) are sensational and makes it a riveting experience if not a perfect one.
These great actresses give their all to the tough roles they play, and it may be a challenge to audiences to deal with the transitions of the language from Greek to English and back again (without subtitles for the Greek scenes), and Mercouri allows the haggard naturr of the character's destructing soul to really show when the performances begin after some very intense rehearsal periods. Burstyn has less to do, but she makes a very sympathetic variation of the classic tale which as seen in classic Greek theater terms and modern times an interesting parallel. The creative process of putting together a play is greatly detailed, and there are moments of light-heartedness that helps to make the viewer deal with the tragic elements that otherwise would have had this all very depressing movie. Director Jules Dassin does a great job to keep the audience engrossed. Not as morbid as I thought it would be, and of course the two actresses (along with Despo as Mercouri's best friend) are sensational and makes it a riveting experience if not a perfect one.