American Film Theatre

By Michael Barrett

In what might be called the curse of Chekhov, the common setting is a living room, the common characters a family, and the common dynamic a stew of bitter backbiting and recrimination that ultimately gives the lie to Tolstoy, because here each unhappy family seems perfectly alike. [18 July 2008]

(more Canon Fodder)

The Loved One (1965)

By Bill Gibron

While much of the original outrage will fall flat on audiences raised on our current post-modern sense of mockery, there is still a great deal to enjoy in this early attempt at directorial dadaism. [18 July 2006]