- Genre
- Drama
- Year
- 1979
- Runtime
- 1h29
0
The Young Man and Moby Dick
One young man's quest mirrors an epic obsession.
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Synopsis
The Young Man and Moby Dick (Mladý muž a bílá velryba) is a 1979 Czech drama directed by Jaromil Jireš, featuring Eduard Cupák in the lead role. The film narrates the inner and outer journey of a young man grappling with his personal identity and societal expectations, drawing metaphorical inspiration from the classic tale of Moby Dick. Set against the backdrop of a changing post-war Czechoslovakia, the story delves deeply into themes of obsession, youth disillusionment, and the pursuit of meaning in a turbulent world. Through poetic cinematography and introspective character development, it explores how one man's quest parallels the epic hunt of Herman Melville's white whale, reflecting on the complex relationship between man, nature, and fate.
Cast
Reviews
The Young Man and Moby Dick received a mix of praise and criticism upon release and in retrospective critiques. IMDb users have given it a moderate rating of 6.7/10, highlighting the film's introspective and philosophical nature, though some viewers found the pacing slow and the narrative challenging to follow. Critics have acknowledged Jaromil Jireš's stylistic direction and Eduard Cupák's compelling performance in portraying the nuanced emotional struggles of youth. However, some negative reviews point out that the film’s allegorical depth can feel overly abstract at times, potentially alienating broader audiences. Rotten Tomatoes does not have a formal rating due to the film’s limited international exposure, but film scholars regard it as a cult classic within Czechoslovak cinema. Metacritic lacks data on this title, but retrospectives often commend the film's striking visual approach and thematic ambition, though cautioning that it demands patience and engagement from its viewers. Overall, the film is appreciated more by those interested in art-house cinema and symbolic storytelling than by mainstream audiences.
