The Structure of Crystal

goulton green

A play of subtlety where objects, scapes, and inventories talk Zanussi's thoughts. Jan lifting snow off his night sun and gazes for the hope/sun at the end. Marek retreating behind the shadow drives back to the big world. Anna's flourishing at the movie end, a metaphor for the price for their choices made. "Has it ever occurred to you that "catching your breath" may be the right way to live." Awesome fine movie.

LibertyCapz

Cozy little film about two old friends, catching up and discussing their different views on life. I think this film stands as a prime example of something where "more is less". Everything on screen seemed so planned and precise in how it was presented and executed, it was really satisfying to look at. Seemed as though Zanussi had quite a specific idea of the look and feel of the film he was making.

Marian Sorin Radulescu

Two different perspective on success, happiness, family, life.

mpho3

"Has it ever occured to you that 'catching a breath' may be the right way to live?" - Janek. Impossible for me not to love this, with its philosophical musings, contageous smiles and playful interludes, Matyjaszkiewicz's cinematography, Kilar's compositions, and in the illustrious words of Jesse Pinkman, "Yeah science, bitch!" I just love it.

josé neves

PC. It's not yet the rigorous structure that identifies some of his later films but it already appears, in various forms, the idea of (a) structure, especially in the magnification that snow brings to it - so much crystallization of (in) space and subsequent temporality, "in illo tempore ". Formally still is, above all, a film of the new Polish wave, "in illo tempore", which is nothing insignificant.

Bilouaustria

At once simple and complex, with only three characters, a Kammerspiel plot, but actually a lot happening. It is about ideal, ambition, how you decide for your life and actions and who you might become. Those two friends where so close but life (and the communist party) made its way between them. The cinematography as well as the script have this quality of pureness. Reminded me somehow of "Old Joy".

dionysus67

Zanussi's debut feature is maybe his masterpiece. Combining cerebral reflections on crystallography, philosophy, consumerism with emotions it is delivered with warmth and loving care for the three main characters. The contrast between society and nature is also treated as a manifestation of other bifurcations that trouble the characters, whose dignity is never compromised. Crystalline music and great camerawork!

Wee Hunk

Every once in a while you need something like this to cleanse the palette from all the escapism. Real life can be interesting when you look at the details of relationships. And what's more interesting than a discussion of how we live our lives?