The Seagull (2018)

A flowing and evocative adaptation of Chekov’s The Seagull by Michael Mayer (directing) and Stephen Karam (screenplay). It beautifully imagines Russia of 1895, and a family and their friends brought together in a country home on a lake, by the illness of a member of the family.

Annette Benning is perfect as Constantine’s vain mother Irina. It is tempting for many actresses to play Irina as simply narcissistic but Benning manages the balancing act of tenderness and self-absorption admirably. Corey Stoll is softly charismatic as the celebrated writer Boris Trigorin. And Mad Men’s Elizabeth Moss gives a dark performance as the damaged Masha. All the performances were, in fact, wonderful.

The story is about the need for love and approval. Irina’s son Constantine craves fame and success as a writer. He feels the need to prove himself to his mother, himself and his girlfriend Nina. But he lacks the self-confidence of Boris, is too young to have mastered his craft yet, and he blames others for not meeting his needs or sharing his vision of life and art.

The arrival of his mother, with her lover the successful writer Boris, drives him to despair, especially as his girlfriend Nina also seems to prefer the handsome newcomer.

A terrific film of a terrific play.