In the time of Counter-Reformation, a miller and his son come under investigation by a priest of the Inquisition, when rumors spread that their prosperity comes from working with the Devil.
The Devil's Trap is a film directed by František Vlá?il, based on a novel by Alfréd Technik, adapted by František A. Dvorák and Miloš Kratochvíl. It was the first of three historical dramas that Vlá?il made during the Czech New Wave (technically he isn't really a part of the New Wave, however these films were made during the same era of artistic freedom), preceding his more well known Marketa Lazarová (1967) and Valley of the Bees (1968).
Set in the late 16th Century during the Catholic Reformation, in the Moravian Karst, situated in what is now the Eastern Czech Republic, it tells the tale of a miller (Vítezslav Vejrazka), and his son Jan (Vít Olmer), who come under suspicion and are investigated by a Jesuit priest of the Inquisition (Miroslav Macháchek), when rumors of witchcraft are spread by the local regent (Cestmír Randa), who is jealous of the miller's prosperity and degree of respect among the local populace.
As expected from Vlá?il, this film is a stunning experience all the way through. From the opening shot, an ominous manipulation of perspective with a close up of a mangled figure of Christ dominating the foreground against a tiny figure in black walking along the horizon, to the breathtaking confrontational finale inside the vast stalactite filled Karst caverns, it is a wonderful display of visual mastery.
Maybe not quite as impressive as Marketa Lazarová, but still full of astonishing imagery. As seen from unique angles and distinct points of view which highlight the director's remarkable sense of awareness of framing, motion, and positioning on the emotional and dramatic tone of the scene. The most memorable being a repeated shot where the camera is suspended and launched with speed through the air towards the miller's door.
The story here is a simple one and I would say more accessible than his later works. With a conventional structure emphasized as much by its plot and characters, than by its expressionistic cinematography or authentic historical detail. The events play out without much surprise, and there is a strong underlying, almost supernatural, mysterious aspect that is left unresolved, in fact barely explored, which is slightly disappointing, but only because it's so fascinating that I wish there was more.
Acting is great all around. Particularly the villains: Miroslav Macháchek as the priest, casting a sinister and imposing shadow wherever he goes, and Cestmír Randa as the weasel like regent behind all the persecution. While Vít Olmer brings a charismatic leading man presence in his role as the miller's son Jan, in love with the lovely orphan girl Martina (Karla Chadimová), who becomes a dangerous object of rivalry between Jan and other young men of the village.
The film also features the evocative music of Zden?k Liška (perhaps the most prolific composer of the Czech New Wave). In this his second of eleven collaborations with Vlá?il, his compositions are used sparingly, but to great effect, complimenting but never overpowering a scene. The best example of which can be heard in an amazingly shot celebration and dance sequence at the end of the second act.
The Devil's Trap might not be a masterpiece, but it is still a strong effort, with a fascinating straightforward story and a glorious historical setting captured beautifully by Vlá?il's unmistakable visual prowess. A fine work that would also be the perfect starter plate to prepare yourself for the challenging feast of Marketa Lazarová or The Valley of the Bees. It even has an easy to digest running time. It's therefore puzzling why this gem remains largely overlooked and ignored.
林嘉欣还演的挺好的……出乎意料啊！有种看到自己变老的辛酸
情绪上编排的其实有些无厘头，没有重点，算是比较平实的讲出一些家长里短。具有很典型的女导演剧本风格。和赵婷的差距就在这里。
虽然有温暖愉快的部分，但互相折磨从来就是家庭生活中必不可少的……至少我们80后90初这代人，哪怕看看台湾的背景，也能想到很多自己的成长故事吧。谁不想回美国呢，我也想（
影片呈现的家庭关系与情感与本人的现实生活有好些相似性 与瀑布相比似乎更加现实更能击中人心
处在新疫情时代回看旧疫情时代，似乎什么都没有改变，曾经演叛逆少女现在演叛逆少女的母亲，林嘉欣还是那么美
惊喜！
真的蛮喜欢林嘉欣的 父亲的角色有点弱 母女关系的部分蛮好的
这导演竟然是90年的，敢碰这样的题材可能跟她自己是留洋海归有关，好处是细节确实很细腻能戳到点，也许跟其自身经历有关吧，缺点就是你知道她想讲什么，却又每个部分都少了点什么，还是能力上差点火候
家庭矛盾，年龄代购，文化差异，这些是台湾电影里最常见的主题，电影只点到为止，并未展开，缺少一针见血直击要害的点。
家庭矛盾，年龄代购，文化差异，这些是台湾电影里最常见的主题，电影只点到为止，并未展开，缺少一针见血直击要害的点。
这么多年了，林嘉欣身上那种淡淡的味道，还在的呢。电影拍的也就是这种淡淡的味道。陈老师的歌，也淡去了……
一个富有感染力的故事也有赖于一帮全情投入的真挚诚恳的演员们的集体努力才让观众产生深深的代入感，也悄然引领着观众去反思去理解亦或者去重振生活。
3.5 冲突有些刻意，和解有些突兀，可以领会到导演想要表达的意思，但是故事讲得有点浅，不过选择了03年这个时间点简直是“作弊”，太多的回忆杀，代入感太强了。
女主人的焦虑也许就是湾湾的无奈，既要生计去赚大陆的钱，又放不下American dream，自己身体更是每况愈下，未来的路如何走？谁又知道呢。
美國女孩跟瀑布在2021年對幹真是偶然與想像的第四章。
什么玩意儿… 母女之间除了吵架没有任何交集 请问最后怎么和解😅
作为台湾电影，那么多家庭问题片珠玉在前，看着有点不给劲，但是放到国产片里，这片可以碾压一堆同类型的片子。
2021年度最佳华语片。比期待中还要好。节奏平稳，没有故意煽情。最后半小时开始哭到不行。东亚家庭的孩子都会有的共鸣。导演真的很棒，在生死议题的大框架下，有文化的碰撞，有文化的对立，有家庭里成人与小孩的无法沟通。从任性的不给妹妹妈妈开门，到结尾的主动打开门。用了一整个影片的时间来告诉我们在东亚文化里，爱，是如何被表达的。导演将自己要表达的点，融合得非常好，每一个节奏的交替都是那么的平稳自然。有时候爱真的就是一体两面的东西。爸爸在最后，蹲在楼梯间里哭泣的戏份，让人内心被狠狠戳中，一个父亲的眼泪，一个怕失去妻子的丈夫的眼泪，是那么的难能可贵。的确有时候有的时候我们总觉得父母不能做的更好，可有没有想过，这已经是她们能给我们最好的了。最后，她明白了家的概念，也明白了原来，爱是那么的无声
从前我们以为，父母若是不能满足我们的要求，那他们就是不爱我们。于是便一边肆意说着伤人的话、做着伤人的事，一边埋怨“明明是他们不够爱我”。在对其他一切挫折都饱含忍耐力和宽容背后，却唯独觉得“爱”是非黑即白的完美主义。
爱与恨，就在一念之间。和《瀑布》有一点点像，都有冲突，结尾有点戛然而止了。
Copyright © 2015-2023 All Rights Reserved
