The Terrace
The Terrace

Movie spotlight

The Terrace

1983
Movie
64 min
Serbo-Croatian

Three middle-aged people spend their vacation in a house on the Adriatic island. The marriage of Eta and her older husband Vladan gradually proves to be troubled, while the third person, doctor Ivan, is the only one who knows that Ela struggles with incurable disease...

Insights

IMDb6.5/10
Director: Peter GreenawayGenres: Drama, War

Plot Summary

Set in a grand country estate, 'The Terrace' explores the complex relationships and unspoken tensions among a group of people gathered for an event. As the narrative unfolds, hidden desires, past grievances, and societal expectations surface, creating a palpable atmosphere of unease and psychological drama. The film uses intricate staging and symbolic imagery to delve into themes of power, isolation, and the fragility of human connection.

Critical Reception

Peter Greenaway's 'The Terrace' received a mixed but generally appreciative reception for its distinctive visual style and intellectual ambition. Critics often lauded its unique atmosphere and thematic depth, though some found its deliberate pacing and abstract nature challenging. Audiences were similarly divided, drawn to its artistic merit but sometimes alienated by its unconventional narrative.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its striking visual composition and intellectual themes.

  • Noted for its distinctive, often enigmatic, narrative approach.

  • Some found the film's pacing too slow or its meaning too obscure.

Google audience: Information on specific Google user reviews and sentiment for 'The Terrace (1983)' is not readily available in public databases.

Fun Fact

The film is notable for its highly stylized and artificial setting, which Greenaway often uses to create a sense of unease and distance between characters and their environment.

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