Doctor Zhivago




What happens to a girl like that, when a man like you is finished with her?

Based on the influential book by the same name, Doctor Zhivago is invariably best known for its cinematography and symbolism. Despite some of its debatably major flaws, it has a lasting power that few other films can claim.

Doctor and poet, Yuri Zhivago's (Omar Sharif) tale encompasses a good stretch of years. His story is related by his half brother (Alec Guinness) and it follows his love affair with the beautiful Lara (Julie Christie), despite him already being married. The affair is a winding matter that is set against the turbulent Russian Revolution.

At over three hours in length, the matter is indeed a winding one. There are several chance meetings in the running time. So many in fact that it is remarkable that they don't feel as contrived as they should. One of the enduring traits is that it's actually sad when the characters are separated, sometimes years at a time. The story also makes excellent use of symbolism. Zhivago's affairs mirror the events that transpire during the Bolshevik Revolution. There are several other instances of excellent parallelisms.

One of my personal problems with this movie is Dr. Zhivago himself. The decisions he makes are often rather selfish, despite being the "nice" guy. We only get thin excuses for such behavior. All the characters are treated in a similar way. We are never let in on their personal thoughts or feelings. The characters' actions are all that are given, and sometimes it is confusing why they act like they do. In not really caring for the obtuse Zhivago, there's unsurprisingly a lot more humanity to be found in the "bad" guys. Of particular interest is Komarovsky (Rod Steiger), Lara's ex lover who keeps popping into the story.

The ironic thing is that there's not really that much snow in this movie. The changing seasons are a stirring testament to shifting times and moods. But the scenes with snow stand out and are classic in and of themselves. Some of the sets are breathtaking and are the hallmark of the film, especially the ice palace. David Lean also uses clever shots that emphasize double meanings.

Honestly, the performances from Sharif and Christie may be a little overrated. It's probably because their characters weren't written to be extraordinarily sympathetic, but their love never feels real regardless. Other actors in smaller roles, such as Rod Steiger, Geraldine Chaplin and Alec Guinness overshadow them. They make their roles as understandable as possible and they provide the real drama.

This is an epic that has a meager supply of emotion, yet the cinematography somehow makes up for most of it. But in the end it can't hold up to the likes of its superior brethren, Lawrence of Arabia and Bridge on the River Kwai. Sprawling epics also need great musical scores, which Zhivago lacks.



-The Gnome