Need vanad armastuskirjad (1992) User Reviews

Life and Times of the Estonian "Cole Porter"

[hilarythebaker · 8/10 · 18 January 2006]

You could very well compare Raimond Valgre, who was a famous Estonian songwriter during the 30s and 40s, to the American songwriter, Cole Porter. While one wrote popular songs (Valgre) and the other wrote both popular songs and musicals (Porter), they were both alive during the same time and probably had some of the same experiences.

I don't understand Estonian, but it is easy to see that this film is a love story (Just like De-Lovely was; except Valgre liked women and Porter liked both men and women). It is also easy to tell the time period, especially due to the clothes and the music.

The movie is quite good, but it does have its weird parts, especially during a couple of scenes regarding sex.

I would recommend this DVD to anyone, especially those who like jazz and love foreign movies and don't care whether they understand what's being said or not.

Those Old Love Letters

[proviant · 6/10 · 28 June 2017]

'Those Old Love Letters' is a love film as one can guess by its title, but the film is not only about love between its protagonists, but also love towards the music, and filmmaker's love towards the musician. Raimond Valgre was talented and popular singer/songwriter whose best years unfortunately fell into the era of World War II and Stalin's regime, and finally cut short way too early. It is a tragic story how a simple man full of dreams and talent is rolled over by war and politics.

Technically the low budget of the film shines through, and occasionally the film looks like made for TV production. The script is strong though and not banally corny, but rather sweet and compassionate with enough sympathy towards all the main characters. Little bits of nice dry Estonian humor adds more charm to the film.

I really found the black and white image usage in 'present day' and color in flashback interesting. This might have to something with the most of the story being told in flashbacks, but I think the black and white is also great metaphor for coldness and bleakness of Stalin era when the 'present day' events in the movie happened.