Vassa (1983)

Based on the play Vassa Zheleznova, by Maxim Gorky, written in 1910 (first version) and 1935 (second version).

The titular character is a woman who is the de facto head of a bourgeois family in 1910s Russia. Her husband is about to be implicated in a charge of abuse of minors. In a later episode, she receives the visit of her daughter-in-law, who is involved with revolutionary activities and wants to take her son abroad. But Vassa doesn't want to part with her grandson.

Compelling character study which might be taken also as a study of bourgeois decadence. The text is strong, the mise-en-scène is impeccable, and the cast is terrific. I am sorry that I don't have any further insightful observations to add, but perhaps Janet Maslin's review, though a little too stern in my opinion, might help my interested readers.

Rating: 69