Maria’s Lovers ***½ (1984, Nastassja Kinski, John Savage, Robert Mitchum, Keith Carradine) – Classic Movie Review 9907

Director Andrei Konchalovsky’s 1984 drama Maria’s Lovers is a slow-moving but fascinating look at the effect of World War Two on a returning Yugoslav-American soldier Ivan Bibic (John Savage), who comes home to his Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, suburb after surviving a Japanese prisoner-of-war camp.

He picks up with his childhood sweetheart Maria Bosic (Nastassja Kinski) and they get married against the advice of his father (Robert Mitchum). But Ivan’s subsequent psychological breakdown prevents the fulfilment of his relationship with his new virgin bride. Then Clarence Butts (Keith Carradine) arrives on the scene and seduces Maria.

Konchalovsky superbly evokes the small mining town atmosphere but he lacks the lightness of touch and the script lacks the believability that would have made this film the unalloyed pleasure it almost is. However, it is a compelling story and there is commendable acting all round by an excellent cast.

Also notable in the cast are Anita Morris, Bud Cort, Karen Young, Tracy Nelson, John Goodman, Vincent Spano, and Bill Smitrovich.

It is written by Gérard Brach, Andrei Konchalovsky, Paul Zindel and Marjorie David.

It is shot in Pittsburgh, Brownsville and Grindstone, Pennsylvania.

It is made by Golan-Globus Productions [The Cannon Group] and released by Cannon Film Distributors. Mitchum also made The Ambassador (1984) for Cannon Group Films the same year.

The cast are Nastassja Kinski as Maria Bosic, John Savage as Ivan Bibic, Robert Mitchum as Mr. Bibic, Keith Carradine as Clarence Butts, Anita Morris as Mrs Wynic, Bud Cort as Harvey, Vincent Spano as Al Griselli, Karen Young as Rosie, John Goodman as Frank, Tracy Nelson as Joanie, Danton Stone as Joe, Lela Ivev as Anna, Elena Koreneva as Vera, Anton Sipos as Peter, Anna Thomson as Kathy, Tania Harley as Sylvia, Gary Hileman as Harry, Ann Caulfield as Louisa, Mary Hogan as Babushka, Eddie Steinfeld as Mendelson, The Photographer, Nardi Novak as Rosie’s Mother, and Bill Smitrovich as The Bartender.

© Derek Winnert 2020 Classic Movie Review 9907

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