"Memory, Imagination, Fantasy, Delusion"

Written By: Grady Harp

LAST YEAR AT MARIENBAD (L'anne derni¨re   Marienbad) burns its way into the psyche the way few other films have. For many of us this film remains the favorite film ever seen since we saw it during its initial release in 1961 - becoming the topic of college classes in the arts, in psychology, in cinema, and in late night dorm conversations. Alain Resnais holds a special place in cinematic history for all of his films, but this intoxicatingly bizarre passageway through the corridors of either memory or delusion is not only a bit of genius writing (Alain Robbe-Grillet), exquisite cinematography by Sacha Vierny, and haunting organ music by Francis Seyrig, it is a creation of a moment frozen in time so perfectly crafted that after fifty years it remains a masterpiece.

The story is presented in fragments, conversations, voice-over repetitions of description of time and place, frozen idylls of elegantly dressed men and women, and the interplay between nameless characters who either did or did not have an affair a year ago. The film allows us to enter that realm of imagination or terror of disturbed memory, searching for reasons to believe what we are hearing and seeing as truth or as fiction. Shot in gorgeous black and white (and for once the shades in the spectrum from white to black play a major role in this film), the film wanders through the baroque quiet corridors of a grand hotel (is it Marienbad or another spa?) accompanied by the eerie organ music and a narrator who repeats lines over and over, varying each repetition until the mind state narration becomes the spoken words of a handsome man with an Italian accent simply called X (Giorgio Albertazzi) who is convinced that a year ago he had an affair with a beautiful woman called A (Delphine Seyrig): the woman remembers little things but in general denies the memory pieces of X, frequently saying 'leave me alone' while X continues to attempt to prove to A that they did indeed have an affair and planned a life together but the plan ended with A saying she needed more time - A is apparently married to M (Sacha Pito«ff). There are many moments of clues such as the strange game X plays with M, the constant returning to a statue of a man and woman in the sculpted gardens, the looks across salons, the stairs, the corridors, the mirrors, the shooting gallery. All of this refuses to tell a linear story but instead challenges us to create our own version of what happened last year - at Marienbad or somewhere or not at all.

The criterion edition comes with an additional CD explaining the history of the film, the making of the film, and other additive moments that are meant to make the film more accessible. But the beauty of LAST YEAR AT MARIENBAD is, in the end, the fact that like so many works of art, the truth is in the mind of the observer. It is intoxicating and unique and inimitable. It is sad to note that Delphine Seyrig died of lung cancer in 1990 and likewise Sacha Pito«ff died the same year. Giorgio Albertazzi's career was basically limited to this one film. That leaves the viewer with the feeling that this little perfect jewel of a film is irreplaceable and will remain timelessly successful for lovers of fine cinematic art - and for those who are similarly obsessed with memory and the loss of memory. Grady Harp, July 10

"Twilight Zonesque"

Written By: Thunderhead22

This blu-ray looks great. What would we do without Criterion? They rule. On my third viewing of this film it strikes me more like an extended (and existential) episode of The Twilight Zone, with a pinch of Carnival of Souls. Yes, it can seem pretentious, but if you go with the flow, it's a compelling take on the human condition and the ambiguous nature of memory. I had never noticed that bizarre image of Hitchcock until someone mentioned it. I guess Vertigo was yet another influence.

"Have an open mind"

Written By: T. Morrow

Last Year at Marienbad is a complex, puzzling film that rewards multiple viewings greatly. Criterion has given this a phenomenal transfer to Blu-Ray, and it is a great package! Watch it at least twice, you will not forget it

"Last year in Marienbad"

Written By: Y. Matsushita

I saw this film 40 years ago for the first time and was shocked as this changed completely

my notion about film. I do not think that I should chnnge my evalution at that time.

"BORING - who cares"

Written By: H. Boehning

I do not understand how this film could be highly rated. It is so boring. Totally bored woman x with no interest in anyone or anything is stalked by a boring man y with no interest in anyone or anything except convincing y that they fell in love last year. No sign of any love or interest in each other. She is so bored with everything that she does not remember him. Flashbacks showing they encountered each other before. SURPRISE! They do not have the exact memory! She is apparently there this year with a man, but there is no evidence of any relationship between then, so who cares who he is. So it doesn't matter that you do not find out who he is. Who cares if x does or does not go off with y?

If you love Tati's Playtime and give it 5 stars, you probably would love this. Although maybe not, Marienbad kind of sort of almost has a plot and kind of sort of has characters x and y.

Regret that I bought this (stupidly let myself be led by all the 5 star ratings). If you are curious about this film, I recommend renting it first