 |
|
|
|
Kafka (1991)
 email this review to a friend
AT PARANOIA'S POISON DOOR
Thoroughly engrossing entertainment -
KAFKA is an intriguing, nightmarish-type flick. Its story is based on a sequence of dangerously bizarre incidents (purely fictional) that involved the famous, Austrian, novelist FRANZ KAFKA.
Released in 1991, KAFKA was set in Prague, Czechoslovakia. The year was 1919.
KAFKA is a stark, art-film disguised as a fable. At its offset, KAFKA is initially presented in glossy black'n'white. This austere cinematography eventually shifts over to full color - KAFKA then becomes a Technicolor wonder once our chief protagonist enters into the mysteriously dreaded confines of The Castle.
STEVEN SODERBERGH directed KAFKA. SODERBERGH is best known for his 1989 hit - The immensely popular, offbeat story - SEX. LIES, AND VIDEOTAPE.
As KAFKA's plot initially unfolds we find the quietly diligent Kafka working ever so studiously in a bustling, over-crowded workplace. This masssive Insurance Company has employed Kafka as one of their many Junior Office-Clerks. At this particular firm, the climb up the corporate ladder to any real prestige, or success, is mighty slow and long.
During so much of Kafka's spare time this very private man (almost reclusive) writes strange, yet brilliant, stories about his fellow men who suddenly transform overnight into mutated insects. The many fantastic themes of Kafka's odd and unusual stories deal directly with corruption and evil. Kafka views this sort of vice as something always secretly hidden within the unforseen darkness of the underworld.
Then - Out of the blue - One fine day, the highly reserved Kafka finds himself actually being suspected of brutally slaying his own best friend, Hans.
"Preposterous!" exclaims Kafka.
But Inspector Grubach, who has taken a special interest in the case, believes otherwise. Without any regard for Kafka's privacy Inspector Grubach commences to ruthlessly badger and interrogate our mild-mannered hero to no end.
With nothing to lose, Kafka takes matters into his own hands. He decides to play detective and investigate his friend's death, himself. Kafka soon comes across Gabriela, Hans's politically militant girlfriend. Even though Gabriela is aware that her political beliefs are far too radical for Kafka's tastes, she makes a serious attempt to involve him in her treacherous cause, anyways. Kafka flatly declines becoming a pawn in her questionable political activities.
During a heated conversation over drinks at a local pub, Gabriela introduces Kafka to Bizzlebek, the gravestone carver. Bizzlebek is a very well read and knowledgeable fellow. To assist Kafka with uncovering the reason behind Hans's murder Bizzlebek secretly guides him through a labyrinth of underground tunnels that eventually lead to The Castle.
The Castle is a menacing-looking tower of massive stones, and mortar. Though just an illusion, The Castle seems to be forever casting an ominous shadow of dread over the entire town of Prague. The Castle holds files on absolutely everything, and everyone, It's here where the horribly evil Dr. Murnau conducts his sinister experiments on humans, as living guinea pigs.
Kafka must find and confront this wicked practitioner - For Dr. Murnau is the only one who holds the solution to Hans's mysterious murder.
KAFKA stars -
JEREMY IRONS as Kafka.
THERESA RUSSELL as Gabriela.
IAN HOLM as Dr. Murnau.
email this review to a friend
Comment on this Review:
Sorry, you must be a member to add comments to reviews.
Join or Login. |
 Subscribe to MatchFlick Movie Reviews through RSS
|
