PalVa

Like it or not, Nikos Kazantzakis has had a decisive influence on Greek letters and the intellectual life of modern Greece. This is probably why it makes me wonder how was it possible for such an experienced director as Smaragdis to present a work so superficial and profoundly dull. We were waiting for a thrilling biopic, but instead of that we got another cliched fairy tale.

Everything in this film is based almost entirely on overused platitudes, idealizations and simplifications. And it's not the cast's fault. All of the leads here are accomplished actors and are honestly doing their best to get something good out of this whole cinematic mess. But the dialogue is so pretentious and the direction so naive that the viewer gets more puzzled and frustrated by the minute. And, by the way, who had the bright idea to have Zorba dance literally every time he's on his feet? It's cheesy and unfair for somebody whose character had had a profound impact on the protagonist's life. The same thing happens with the poet Sikelianos, as he is caricatured as a conceited odd fellow.

Kazantzakis as a writer deserves so much better! This unnecessary idolization doesn't really serve any purpose.

I really have no comment on professional and amateur critics who frown upon the film, just because it's not historically accurate. Some of humanity's greatest visual and literary masterpieces were pure works of fiction, that doesn't diminish one bit of their priceless value.

And how can you not like this film, since all the elements here are in perfect harmony with one another. There's so much beauty and lyricism in this film, that you can't help feeling a little emotional, as you watch it. The music and the way it's used to accompany each scene reaches the standards set by Forman's Amadeus.

Apart from Oldman's impassioned interpretation, I would also like to give credit to Jeroen Krabbe, who plays so vividly the puzzled, but faithful Anton Schindler. Ter Steege's emotional performance is also worthy of note. On the whole, there's hardly a character that doesn't work.

I could go on and on about the film's merits and artistic achievements. It may be fiction, but, until something else appears, it still stands as one of the most interesting works around Beethoven's life and music.