Director and screenwriter Michael Guinzberg did a great job of creating a modern image of a Chekov classic. Led by a stealer cast led by Biff McGuire and a few new face Lara Romanoff as the sexy seductress Nina. Set on a cliff overlooking the Pacific Ocean, Guinzburg creating an interesting view of a love triangle with an upper class Malibu family. Surprising effective sound track of mainly sleek jazz and interesting piano give a special sound to this film. Oleg who played the grandfather was a familiar face who played an interesting but important role. I went to this movie at the request of my girlfriend only to be surprise by an excellent movie.I recommend this movie to those viewers that love a thought provoking film.
18 Reviews
Chekov meets Checkers the Clown
mjohnson52527 December 2013
Warning: Spoilers
I have read much of Anton Chekov's works including the "Seagull" and believe this to be the worst adaption of anything he has ever written. The screenplay was written by an seventh grade level mind. It was hard to follow. It lacked any form of cleverness. And it was particular boring. The acting other then the vixen playing Nina, Lara Romanoff were poor. Miss Romanoff was a master amongst old and uninterested actors. The direction was obvious that this director have no talent what so ever. The film quality was good, but how one could screw up the beauty of the Malibu coast so badly I am astounded.
I love Chekov, and was not exactly excited about seeing this film because i have read some of the poorly written novels written by the director and screenplay writer in the past who just like in this film has shown creativity. Ms Romanoff did show signs of greatness, and would best be cast in a film more gear for her abilities to show great emotion with at time a very memorizing style. The rest of the actors were a bunch of old talentless stiffs. Shame of the director for putting out such a poorly directed and written film based on a story by a creative genius. This film is best described as Chekov goes to the circus.
I love Chekov, and was not exactly excited about seeing this film because i have read some of the poorly written novels written by the director and screenplay writer in the past who just like in this film has shown creativity. Ms Romanoff did show signs of greatness, and would best be cast in a film more gear for her abilities to show great emotion with at time a very memorizing style. The rest of the actors were a bunch of old talentless stiffs. Shame of the director for putting out such a poorly directed and written film based on a story by a creative genius. This film is best described as Chekov goes to the circus.
Hollywood Seagull overall waste of money and time
Michaelcollins71421 December 2013
Warning: Spoilers
Other then hot European Lead Actress playing Nina played by Lara Romanoff this was one of the most boring movies I have ever viewed. I used to love Anton Chekov but this screenplay was written by a no talent writer. Other then a few beautiful shots the director is best to go back and film such shows as Bozo circus. I have read a few books by this author who in my opinion has nothing more then a copycat style at best. Give your money to a monkey at the zoo. Then watch him play with his food. It will be time better spent. One of the worst movies of the year. The writing was campy and written for non-sophisticated viewers. Even Malibu looked bad by film stock standard.
Surprise! Surprise! Surprise!
tnelson72219 January 2014
A good friend of mine from South Africa told me about this great little flick he hear via the grapevine that I would love. So I went to Independent Theater in Los Angeles on a quiet week night only to be surprised by this mend bending, brilliantly written spin off of the Chekov class "The Seagull." One would think that moving Chekov, a true guru of our time, to Malibu would be a stretch but director and writer Mike Guinzburg was spot on. Even better was the performance of lead actress and Russian sex pot, Lara Romanoff who played Nina, the subject of multiple cast members affections. You would fall in love with her to if you saw how minx like and sexy she played this extremely well written role. Strong acting support by Biff McGuire and a cast of little known but surely to be discovered actors, make this a sleeper for major awards worldwide. An erry and spooky yet hip sound track kept this movie at an exciting yet cool pace. After seeing this movie, I recommended it to everyone I know. It was a limited showing at the time it turns out. So, look for this film in your local theater or on line or on net flix etc. This movie is truly for people who love deep movies. I wish i knew where to she Lara Romanoff on scene again. A star to be.
Chekov?
dnorth91727 December 2013
Warning: Spoilers
I was looking forward to seeing a new adaptation after seeing a bad version of this story back in 2010. I was surprised at how little the writer and director of this film knew about the meaning of the Chekov classic. The writer was as bad.s as any I have seen in a movie in a long time. The overall acting was average at best, except for the lead actress who played Nina who was believable and the only refreshing actor in the film. The lines overall were lamely written and showed the know lack of talent of the writer based on his history of writing boring and bad novels. It is obvious that this is one of his first attempts at directing and showed little more then a basic understanding of how to mix sound, film colors, and use of the camera work. This movie was a waste of my time and money and me and my whole party of friends all felt the same about this waste of time. We left with about 30 minutes to go. It was just a badly written and poorly directed film. I would love to see the lad actress in something more suited to her talent. It was hard to get by her accent but she was very sexy by having such an accent. I'm not sure whether she had a German or Polish accent though. She was kind of a young Greta Garbo. Overall,amongst worst films I've seen in years.
A Surprising Great Movie
southafricanglobal28 December 2013
I am aware of Chekov's "The Seagull." At first, I had trouble trying to put the movie to the story, but I became mesmerized by the story. I found it to be a story that is very reflective in our own lives. The actor who played the grandfather the ex-lawyer/judge was excellent as the all seeing Russian actress, named Lara Romanoff, that I found stole the show with her pure sex appeal and Kim Novak/Greta Garbo style. She is destine to be seen in future high quality roles. The film quality and the set of using a beautiful estate made the film stock interesting to view. One could understand the fight between the family members over the sexy vixen in the role of Nina. The writing though hard to follow at times did lead me to think a lot about similar situations which we have all experienced in our life. This movie is not for the uneducated viewer. It takes deep thought and a person willing to truly open up their minds and emotions to fall in love with this flick. The idea of moving Chekov to Malibu was a stretch, but it worked. I highly recommend this movie to people who enjoy a good old intellectual movie. Bravo. Miss Romanoff should be considered for major awards for this movie role as Nina.
New American/Russian Classic
fabianj22828 December 2013
Chekov has never been so heart felt. I truly enjoyed the drama just released called "Hollywood Seagull." It was a well written and well acted movie containing a whole bunch of actors, who I have never seen before. I especially loved the hot and beautiful foreign actress who played Nina. Her name I got, Lara Romanoff. Look for her in future movies. She is really a beauty. The script was interesting and left me thinking like most good movies should. I am not familiar with this work by Chekov but will go take it out from the library tomorrow. The music was relaxing and jazzy all in the same way. The actor who played the grandfather, I have seen in an old Alfred Hitchock flick was excellent in his role. This movie was a sleeper. I didn't see it coming, I just went because my wife wanted to go, and we both loved it. It is a great movie for people who enjoy a deep and sensitive drama.Thumbs up.
A thought provoking film
markallen33331 December 2013
This is a movie, I had to think about over and over again. And I was so interested in the story that I bought the Chevok book with "The Seagull" in it. I find the translation of the Chevok classic to modern day Malibu, a hard stretch but for some reason or another works, Now I want to see the movie again and again just to listen to the tight dialogue. Mike Guinzburg did an interesting job at creating and directing an interesting and mind provoking film. Starring Biff McGuire and I am guessing new to the screen Lara Romanoff as the heart throb of many and the one that makes men sell there souls to the devil. She is sexy and you just want to have her all to yourself. This is what makes the plot really work.
Sleeper classic
razak111029 December 2013
Great independent film. I went to she a time dated movie thinking it was an older story, just to see a modern version of a Chekov classic. It was an excellent drama. Beautiful sets. Great sound track.Very interesting twists. And great acting amongst a bunch of unheard of actors. Actress Lara Romanoff is hot stuff. Excellent actress. I would go see her in any future movie just to see her great sense of emotional acting style. Hip jazz and piano based sound track. Tight screen play. Money well spent. Grandfather role was especially good and well acted. I don't know much about Chekov but I am interested in comparing original story to this film. it was a mind trip.
Just a great flick
wspurney1129 December 2013
Biff McGuire, Will Posten, and new to Hollywood Russian actress Lara Romanoff, pull off a great adaptation of Chekov's"Seagull." Lead by a hip and well timed sound track of jazz piano this movie was all that and more. Director Mike Guinsburg was spot on in his updated vision of this classic. The script was hard to follow at first but fell into place to create a great film. Will Posten and Lara Romanoff, gave award winning performances. The sound track is also a sleeper. The movie was full of drama and intrigue. It is the kind of movie you want to see again and again. i feel like I missed some of the great interactions. This is the best drama I have seen in years. I highly recommend this artistic and new classic.
Great flick!
pluvl20 January 2014
Lara Romanoff as Nina leads a great group of actors like Biff McGuire and Will Posen carry this modern update of the Chekov classic "The Seagull." Led by a strong script and excellent film stock quality and shots made in director and screenwriter, Michael Guinzburg first directorial job, a really great movie. This movie hit at all angles from story, to acting, to filming it in beautiful Malibu, and especially by the world class jazz and piano based sound track which helped the viewer to follow along with the intense drama and dialogue in this mind bending film. This film is a modern day classic from the independent film maker. Lara Romanoff's career is destined to take off as the hot and sexy Russian vixen that captivates the screen with her pure sex appeal. It was a mind bending drama that left me wanting to come back and see it again and again. All I can tell you is this is one great flick!
Fantastic adaptation
DrBass15 January 2014
As a huge fan of Chekhov, I try to see every adaptation that comes out. This is one of the better attempts at capturing the Russian masterpiece's subtext even after changing the setting to Hollywood. In a role known for being acting legend Uta Hagen's debut, newcomer Lara Romanoff embodies the ingénue Nina flawlessly. Ms. Romanoff also co-wrote and produced the film. Legendary cinematographer Don E. FauntLeRoy brings his usual lensing skills to this small independent film, giving it a depth and palette not usually found in films of this budget level. The rest of the cast (Will Poston, William Biff McGuire, Barbara Williams, Blake Lindsley, Stevie D. White, Jay Laisne, Time Winters, Sal Viscuso, Christopher Callen) do a fine job of portraying Hollywood as a sordid pit of depravity where art is the last thing on anyone's mind.
Hollywwod classic
robertzak630 December 2013
This was totally a sleeper. I didn't see it coming. Lara Romanoff and Biff McGuire made this a very memorable film. I want to Ms Romanoff and Mr Mc Guire did a great job in the leads in this fascinating and highly interesting new film directed by Mike Guinzburg. The screenplay was weak at times but toward the end it tightened up quickly to a dramatic ending. Between the quality of acting and great soundtrack to go with a great finish. I have never read Chekov so i don't know how well it follows his book "The Seagull but whatever or how well they followed the story the movie turned out very good. I took a very artsy date who loves foreign films and she thought it had a very foreign flare to the filming style.
Best cast of soon to be known actors
curtisn22720 January 2014
I took a date to see "Hollywood Seagull" while in Los Angeles last month. She was going for a class assignment on Chekov, who wrote the story to which this movie is taken from. I was expecting a slow drama and instead came across one of the best movies I have seen in years. Maybe its lack of a super lead gave more credibility to this extremely well written film. Written by Michael Guinzburg, who also was making his directorial debut the movie was fascinating and kept me on to the edge of my sit. Lead by a stellar group of actors led by Biff McGuire and a hot Russian actress named Lara Romanoff in the lead as Nina.Other great performances were put in by Oleg Vidov and Barbara Williams and this cast of great actors. It is my understanding that this film will be out in full distribution later this year. It is a must see.
Malibu Seagull you mean
zeryle91728 December 2013
What an interesting version of a Chekov story. I never thought that putting the story line in modern day Malibu would work. But it did. The film was a beautiful view of lust and betrayal of love inside a typical wealthy Malibu family. The music was extremely well timed and the piano and jazz was refreshing to here and effective in its use. The overall cast was great but rather unfamiliar to me. I don't think I've seen any of the actors before. The lead actress, was a sexy and minx like cat of a woman. Very sexy while showing the weakness of an unhappy life. The actress who played Nina had an academy award worthy performance and will be heard of in films to come. The overall screenplay was good but a little hard to believe or follow at times but the music and acting keep me riveted to my seat. it was a sleeper which I didn't see coming. I recommend this film only to viewers that truly appreciate a well made drama and are not obsessed with high action films. Totally for the fine arts section of the theater complexes. A must see.
Some movies deserve to be seen again & again
frofagha11 October 2023
You see I was at a Cancun retreat for two weeks in June offered by LARA ROMANOFF FROM nagualyoga.com a life changing experience. There I was mistaken for Robert D$ ero's brother so I played tge part and got treated like loyalty. So I became an avit follower of him. A Reel came to me from his 1991 movie Cape Fear where he is lighthing a cigar in a theater and laughing hysterically. Where did I hear that laugh before. It was me at 2:00 AM watching again HOLLYWOOD SEAGULL by LARA ROMANOFF also from nagualyoga.com . In a scene the mother( Irene) tells her producer boyfriend Perhaps you can make a movie with I and Nina ( Lara Romanoff) as sisters? Trigger says I dont think I am that good ! 😄 That is when I lost it and my De Niro long long laughter like Cape Fear came out. I finally got the movie and its message and debth. Some movies need to be seen again. I must have been on tge moon first time I watched it. Maybe because my focus was on the actress and not tge movie. I identified with Travis who attempted to kill himself three times in the movie but his ball were not big enough. Not only I got tge movie I realized my balls are bigger than Travis.
Must watch before you GO.
Must watch before you GO.
Question to the creator
frofagha12 October 2023
I want to ask the writer and creator why it had to END like that? Trevor loved her . He wa willing to kill himself without her ! She came iut of rehab where Trevor took her with the movie insurance money and she got cured and got a TV job in Vancouver and had to leave Trevor ? Why ? I will give my right arm to find out why so sad ? It seems the narrator had realy lived the story to some degree . She played with it a little to make it more intresting. I do believe this drama is a TRUE story. Wow. Well I am done but yhere is one hundred more words to go? Now 42 ! I hope Lara Romanoff gets this message sometimes and responds accordingly.
Hollywood seagull flies
tnelson11129 December 2013
Great movie. Full of intrigue. Great dramatic scenes. Outstanding acting in lead roles by Biff MCGuire and Lara Romanoff. She is new star coming out. Very classy and sexy lady. Smart screenplay. Great sound track. And a beautiful Malibu set. Soundtrack, director, and Lara Romanoff should run off with awards for there contribution to this first class drama. Designed for people who like brain storming movies. I would go out of my way to see this instant classic. Lara as Nina was a great lead actress. The actor who played the ex judge is memorable. Chekov would be proud of this adaption of his works.Best movie this Christmas season.
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