Special: The Dream

Love Fyodor Dostoevsky's work, ever since reading 'The Brothers Karamazov' for the first time four years ago. For me, he is my personal favourite Russian author, though hold Leo Tolstoy and Alexander Pushkin in extremely high regard also. All three are extremely influential and important figures in Russian literature, and overall even, 'Lolita' is another favourite Russian novel of mine even with the very controversial and difficult subject matter.

Another reason for seeing 'The Dream' was Jeremy Irons. Always did think very highly of him, my first exposure to him being his voice work as Scar in 'The Lion King' (in my mind one of the best voice acting performances for any Disney film and in animation). But overtime and seeing more of his work he has made another fan out of me, especially fantastic in 'Dead Ringers'. A BBC adaptation of Dostoevsky's short story 'The Dream of a Ridiculous Man', this is outstanding work. The story, adapted as a one-person monologue, is treated with respect and it is a great representation of Irons.

Who is wonderful here in one of his more undervalued performances, undeservedly so as this is vintage Irons in a good way. Anybody that loves unmistakable voices that one can listen to for hours, expressive line delivery, eyes that tell so much and tell a story even when saying little or nothing, actors that very seldom make their characters stock heroes or villains but gives them conflict and ambiguity (Irons was one of the best ever at portraying upper class characters with a dark/tortured side) and mostly reserved performances full of gravitas that has been mistaken for wooden by detractors (that is when he is not trying to compensate for lacking material) will be in heaven.

He is not the only reason to see 'The Dream'. It is a handsomely designed production filmed with a dream-like and at other times unsettling atmosphere, like at the beginning. There is also a very intimate vibe which suited very well the monologue-structure. The music is suitably haunting, especially in the more dreamlike moments. The dialogue makes one think throughout and is full of nuance delivered in an equally nuanced manner. There is a lot of it but not in a way that feels too much. It is amazing that 'The Dream' is full of scenes that are very lengthy, not just the dialogue but also wordless sections where all the talking is in the eyes and face. Yet it didn't ever feel dull or feel that it dragged.

Did think that the ending was misinterpreted somewhat, the original story and its final sentence have more of a sense of finality than here, it's a little too ambiguously hopeful here. But that is probably just me.

Summing up, outstanding and highly recommended. 9/10