Review: Genre-Defying 'Maria's Lovers' Terrific on Blu-ray

The first American feature film by celebrated Russian director Andrei Konchalovsky, "Maria's Lovers," which opened the 1984 Venice Film Festival but wasn't released in the U.S. until January of 1985, is a bit of a hodgepodge – but an enjoyable hodgepodge, wonderfully unique and occasionally baffling. It doesn't follow Hollywood film norms, which makes sense, since Konchalovsky is Russian, and his leading lady, German.

After spending time in a Japanese prison camp, Ivan (John Savage) returns home from the war and instantly rushes over to visit his old flame Maria (Nastassja Kinski), who has a boyfriend, gruff and handsome Captain Al Griselli (Vincent Spano). But things don't work out: Ivan proposes to Maria, who excitedly accepts, and... he isn't able to have sex with her! Meanwhile, everyone – including Ivan's lech of a dad (Robert Mitchum) – is trying to seduce Maria. WTF is going on with Ivan? Will Maria give in to the charming Keith Carradine character who croons "Maria's Eyes" so lovingly? And what is up with the chair in the field?

"Maria's Lovers," written by Konchalovsky, Gérard Brach, Paul Zindel, and Marjorie David, defies genre. It leans on the post-WWII, dramatic love story side, but has comedic elements and even a few songs courtesy of the Oscar-winning Carradine ("I'm Easy" from "Nashville.")

The filmmaker cast two very peculiar actors as his leads. That is not a negative. Savage and Kinski complement one another immensely. Both are very uncommon actors who are fascinating to watch. Together, they make for an idiosyncratic feast. Personally, I wish more filmmakers would have taken chances on original talent like Kinski, Karen Black, Sally Kellerman – and so many others – and wrote for them and/or allowed them to bring their own singularity to roles instead of having no clue what to do with them. Diatribe over.

I happen to adore Kinski. I think she is one of the most underrated actors of her time (look at "Tess" and "Paris, Texas"), and it's a shame she was usually used by many of her directors simply as a sex object.

Critics at the time had no clue what to make of "Maria's Lovers," so most dismissed it, although some, like Kevin Thomas of the L.A. Times, appreciated it for the disquieting fable it is. Even the releasing company (Cannon) dumped it in January.

Konchalovsky, known for classics like "Ivan's Childhood" and "Andrei Rublev," would go on to direct "Runaway Train" with Jon Voight (Oscar nomination) and "Shy People" with Jill Clayburgh and Barbara Hershey. Now in his '80s, he is still directing films, with "Dear Comrades!" having made the Oscar shortlist last year.

This is the first time the film is available on Blu-ray, and Kino Lorber has done a terrific job with a solid visual and audio transfer.

Special features include a new five-minute chat with John Savage and a lengthier interview with Vincent Spano (15 minutes), where he discusses many aspects of the film, including his romance with Kinski and their having a son together. Spano, in his late 50s, looks like he's still in his 20s. It's disconcerting.

Blu-ray Extras Include: