Watch The Seagull

The Seagull is a drama film from 2018 that stars Annette Bening, Corey Stoll, and Glenn Fleshler, among others. The movie is directed by Michael Mayer and adapted from Anton Chekhov's play of the same name. It tells the story of a group of artists and their complicated relationships with one another. The movie is set in the Russian countryside at the turn of the century. An aging actress named Irina (Bening) visits her brother Sorin (Brian Dennehy) on his estate along with her lover, the successful writer Boris (Stoll). Also present are Sorin's estate manager Shamrayev (Fleshler), his wife Polina (Mare Winningham), and their daughter Masha (Elisabeth Moss), who is in love with Boris.

As the group spends time together, tensions arise between everyone. Irina is encouraged by Boris to reclaim her fame and try to reignite her career, causing her to clash with her son Konstantin (Billy Howle), a struggling playwright who is in love with the young and innocent Nina (Saoirse Ronan). Nina, in turn, is infatuated with Boris, causing a complicated love triangle.

The film is a character study of the various people involved in the intermingling relationships. Each character is given ample screen time to shine, and the interactions between them are portrayed with realism and depth. The performances of the entire cast are riveting and emotional, especially those of Bening, who exudes charisma and complexity, and Ronan, who brings a sweet innocence to her role.

The Seagull is a showcase of Chekhov's themes and motifs, making it a treat for fans of the playwright's work. The film explores the ideas of love, art, and aging, and how each person navigates their own wants and desires. The cinematography is also noteworthy, as the film takes place largely on the picturesque estate and makes great use of the natural scenery.

One of the standout moments in the movie is the play-within-a-play scene featuring Konstantin's experimental theatrical piece, which highlights the tension between traditional and modern art. The sequence is visually stunning and engaging in its commentary on the nature of art.

Overall, The Seagull is a thoughtful and beautifully made film that examines complex relationships and the fragility of life. The slow pace and quiet intensity may not be for everyone, but for those looking for a deep dive into the human experience, it is well worth the watch.

The Seagull is a 2018 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 38 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.7 and a MetaScore of 58.