KAROLY MAKK

Bil’s rating (out of 5):  BB. 

Alternate title:  Cat’s Play

Original title:  Macskajatek

Hungary, 1974.  Hunnia Játékfilmstúdió.  Screenplay by Karoly Makk, Janos Toth, based on the novel by Istvan Orkeny.  Cinematography by Janos Toth.  Music by Peter Eotvos.  Production Design by Jozsef Romvari.  Costume Design by Nelly Vago.  Film Editing by Gyorgy Sivo.  

Karoly Makk follows the film Love with a sequel of sorts, catching up with two sisters who spend the film reflecting on past lives and romances. Most of it is told in voice-over narration with images and scenes of youth interspersed, jarringly, in a manner that feels far too loose and aimless to be poetic or effective. It is wholly possible that it was delicate and charming in 1974, but the film has not aged well and now creaks quite a bit, its characters not particularly interesting and its sense of romance too dampened by overzealous editing.

Academy Award Nomination:  Best Foreign Language Film

Cannes Film Festival:  In Competition