Different Year, Same 'Marienbad'
Last Year at Marienbad is known for its dreamlike composition. In this shot, the human figures cast long shadows, but the topiaries do not.
Last Year at Marienbad is known for its dreamlike composition. In this shot, the human figures cast long shadows, but the topiaries do not.
Alain Resnais' completely unconventional film Last Year at Marienbad premiered in 1961, winning the Golden Lion at that year's Venice Film Festival. Its screenplay — written by Alain Robbe-Grillet from his novel of the same title — earned an Oscar nomination.
Constantly alluded to, and frequently parodied, the stylized film adheres to no conventional narrative structure. Film critic Pauline Kael labeled Marienbad an "aimless disaster," but it has since come to be regarded as a milestone in film history.
The Criterion Collection has re-released the film on DVD. John Powers has a review.
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