I agree with 2 reviewers that the production lacks nuanced characterization.Iam particularly disappointed with the choice of Morag Hood as Natasha. As one reviewer said,"hello, a 30-year-old playing a 13-year-old ? ". She looks ridiculous in those scenes and her laugh is that of a mad-woman, not an enraptured adolescent. They should have just picked a 13-year-old actress to play Natasha at that stage ! Moreover, she just doesn't have, nor project Natasha's radiance, charm, vitality, or even loveliness. It's annoying to see Natasha with wrinkles ! Alan Dobie is also disappointing as Andrey. He looks the part, but his crisp delivery of lines makes the character look flippant and superficial. I didn't like the scene with the symbolic oak --- it's too rushed, and it's hard to believe that the character underwent such a substantial change in his outlook ! However, the scene where Natasha is singing and Andrey is musing " that he could weep " is very sensitively done. If only that potential for expressive performance could have been developed in other scenes !The actor just seems to read the lines and doesn't really get into the inner life of the character.
Bondarchuk's movie is far superior and much more moving !
Bondarchuk's movie is far superior and much more moving !