Montenegro (1981)
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92% of critics liked it
(12 reviews) -
71% of users liked it
(809 ratings)
Marilyn Jordan (Susan Anspach), an American-born housewife, mother, and socialite living in Sweden, is crumbling under the weight of her own existence. She deeply resents her husband Martin's (Erland Josephson) frequent holiday absences and his indifferent attitude toward their two children ("If… More Marilyn Jordan (Susan Anspach), an American-born housewife, mother, and socialite living in Sweden, is crumbling under the weight of her own existence. She deeply resents her husband Martin's (Erland Josephson) frequent holiday absences and his indifferent attitude toward their two children ("If they are going to grow up in today's world," he admits, "it's about time they faced the fact that nobody keeps promises anymore"). Moreover, Marilyn's eccentric father (who believes he is Buffalo Bill and fires off guns in the house to prove it) and her children -- who hatch an outrageous plan to set up a dating service for senior citizens -- start to drive her completely around the bend. Marilyn feels herself domestically imprisoned -- encased in a bell jar. Her subsequent behavior grows not simply eccentric, but irrational and then comically outrageous. She cooks wiener schnitzel for the entire family, but eats it all herself; unsuccessfully attempts to poison the family beagle; and -- convinced that insects are attacking her during the night -- showers the plant above her bed with bug repellent, much to Martin's consternation. Finally, irritated by Martin's sexual indifference to her, Marilyn manages to get his attention in a last, desperate move by setting his bed on fire late one night. Deeply concerned, Martin consults psychologist Dr. Pazardjian (Per Oscarsson), who does little to help Marilyn and (indeed) turns out to be even nuttier than any of the members of the Jordan family. Via a comic security mix-up, Marilyn later becomes stranded at the Stockholm airport and hitches a ride with a band of horny Yugoslavian immigrants celebrating the new year; they take her to their ZanziBar nightclub for a couple of days, where she begins to break out of her domestic prison by engaging in a torrid extramarital affair with randy Slavic zookeeper Montenegro and by performing as a one-time chaunteuse on-stage. Eventually, Marilyn's family beckons for her to return -- but her brush with independence has made her a very different woman, indeed. Montenegro marked controversial writer/director Dusan Makavejev's English-language debut, and earned widespread critical raves for Anspach's career-defining performance. ~ Nathan Southern, Rovi
- Rating, Runtime
- R, 1 hr. 38 min.
- Directed By
- Dusan Makavejev
- Genres
- Drama, Art House & International, Comedy
- In Theaters
- Nov 8, 1981 Wide
- On DVD
- Sep 11, 2001
- Studio
- Atlantic Releasing Corporation
Critic Reviews
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Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
There can be something absolutely liberating about a movie that makes up its rules as it goes along.
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Vincent Canby, New York Times
A halfheartedly Surreal comedy filled with forced high spirits, unconvincing lunacies and failed sight gags.
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Dave Kehr, Chicago Reader
A paean to the liberating power of dirt, as in both grime and smut.
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Fernando F. Croce, CinePassion
The screen's most good-natured slaughter of familial order
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Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
Weirdly entertaining black comedy, that's not for all tastes.
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Featured Audience Ratings
Cast
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Susan Anspachas Marilyn Jordan -
Erland Josephsonas Martin Jordan -
Per Oscarssonas Psychiatrist Pazardjian
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John Zachariasas Grandpa Bill -
Svetozar Cvetkovicas Montenegro -
Marianne Jacobias Cookie
