By: debbie lynn elias
I still remember the first time I heard the hauntingly beautiful, melodious tones of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s ballet, “The Nutcracker.” It was a Thanksgiving weekend. I was 7 or 8 years old and my grandfather was playing a symphonic recording of the suite on his Blaupunkt stereo. I was rapt with wide-eyed wonder as he regaled me with the story of the Mouse King, the Nutcracker Prince, Clara, Dosselmeyer and the Sugar Plum Fairies, while the music played in the background. (As I later came to learn, one of the musical elements that makes The Nutcracker so spellbinding and unforgettable is the Tchaikovsky’s use of the celesta, which is also present in the presentation here by the Russian Symphony.) Hooked on the story and music, you can imagine my excitement when I finally saw the ballet performed live. It was magical, drawing me into its spell to such a degree that ever since that first performance, I endeavor to see as many film, tv and ballet interpretations of the story as possible. When I learned of the pending release of THE NUTCRACKER 3D by acclaimed Russian director, Andrei Konchalovsky, I was overjoyed and curious as to what he would bring that was new and innovative to this beloved tale. Still with as much wide-eyed wonder as I had as a child, from the opening frame, Konchalovsky transported me into a fantasy world with the most unique interpretation and vision of this magical story that I have ever seen.
Set in 1920’s Vienna, Mary and her pesky younger brother Max want for nothing, but for perhaps the attention of their parents. Max, as with most little brothers, enjoys war games, battles, swords, guns and of course, breaking all of his sister’s toys. Mary, on the other hand, is quite precocious and wise beyond her years. And she has an imagination that fills her lonely days and nights; an imagination that is fueled by her Uncle Albert. With Christmas Eve upon them, Mary and Max face another night alone at home as their parents head out to a fancy party where their mother will be singing. But all is not lost for who should suddenly appear, Uncle Albert – and he’s not alone. He comes bearing gifts; a large antique dollhouse filled with some very special friends, and a very special “enchanted Nutcracker Prince”, not to mention some very sage advice in a song about “Relativity.”
Feeling an immediate connection to the Nutcracker, as night falls and the children are tucked into their beds, Mary holds him close, only to be startled in her sleep by none other than the Nutcracker who has magically come to life! Preferring to be called “NC”, he transports Mary into not only a magical world of make believe, with fairies, sugarplums, a walking/talking/dancing monkey, a Jamaican drummer boy and oodles of toys that have come to life in the living room Christmas tree. Climbing higher and higher into the tree, the ceiling has opened into a starlight sky with an eagle’s next at the tippy top which has a view as far as the eye can see, a view that lets NC show Mary his kingdom.
For you see, NC isn’t just a magical nutcracker, he is really a prince; a prince who is under the spell of the evil Rat King and his even more evil and devious mother. Determined to take over not only NC’s kingdom, but the world, and destroy all the toys, the Rat King and his mother kidnap NC, leaving Mary, the magical toys and some desperate citizens enslaved by the Rat King, to fight to free NC and save the kingdom.
The overall casting of THE NUTCRACKER 3D is outstanding and particularly, John Turturo as The Rat King. Brilliant performance. Deliciously evil and juvenile all at the same time. His chemistry with Aaron Michael Drozen (Max) is delightful while that with Frances de la Tour, who plays the Rat Queen, is laugh out loud hysterical. Elle Fanning’s Mary is solid and charming but a bit of hit and miss in her emotional conveyance. While her defiance and bravery seems quite natural, any tenderness or tears feels forced and unnatural not only to the character of Mary, but to Fanning’s the performance. Aaron Michael Drozen is perfect as bratty brother Max. Drozen ideally captures the impish torturous nature of a younger brother and sibling rivalry but also has a sweet protective nature that blossoms when his sister is in danger.
Nathan Lane provides an interesting aspect to the story in his portrayal of Uncle Albert (who we learn thanks to song lyrics and dialogue, is Albert Einstein). As to be expected, he is not only entertaining, enlivening each scene with twinkling anticipation and excitement, but also serves as a moral compass and voice of reason to his grand-niece and grand-nephew, and ultimately, to his nephew – Mary and Max’s father. Frances de la Tour is wickedly funny in a dual role as the Rat Queen and Frau Eva, reminding me of the legendary Imogene Coca.
And of course, from the moment the Nutcracker spoke, I was spellbound thanks to the perfect voicing by Shirley Henderson. (Yes, “Harry Potter” fans, Moaning Myrtle herself). Henderson’s voice is so distinctive and she tweaks it with enough tonal inflection that you believe it is coming from the wooden Nutcracker.
Written by Chris Solimine and Andrei Konchalovsky, what stands out and is most distinctive, are the lengths the two have taken to incorporate the details and importance of a child’s imagination. This is beyond welcome and appreciated. Capitalizing on the creativity of children, we are dazzled with a child’s vision using tin foil to create a skirt for a princess ornament, or an ink pen as a mighty saber. Dreams and fairy tales are embraced and encouraged, all of which is beautifully presented, serving to encourage and inspire young children everywhere to believe, create and dream.
As for the interpretation itself, there are some extremely dark aspects which come as the result of Konchalovsky’s own life experience. The world of the Rat King harkens to the socio-political largess of the Nazis and Kaiser Wilhelm, providing a touchstone for grandparents as a contrast to the fantasy that will attract children. The symbolism is then excellently represented through costuming and make-up, i.e., rats and soldiers, as is the concept of a dark cloud over the kingdom created by smokestacks, analogous to Hitler cremating humans and the dark cloud and stench that was created over the German countryside. Unfortunately, I think this darkness may be a bit too frightening for small children, as was evident at my screening with the one little girl who was crying during the rat sequences and the factory burning of toys. But, it is all quite intriguing to an adult and gives pause as to the vision and creativity of Konchalovsky by blending the innocence and beauty of a beloved fairytale with the horror and terror of occupied Europe; a curiously intriguing tact in telling this well known and beloved story.
The production design and attention to detail is magnificent and meticulously executed – particularly with scenes involving the Christmas Tree and the Snow Fairy. Absolutely magical and designed perfectly for 3D. Costuming is period appropriate – as is the set design.
Not just aimed at little girls or adults, THE NUTCRACKER 3D has plenty of action adventure for boys (and tomboys alike) with some very cool futuristic Industrialized Rat Bikes, Rat Bats and Rat Copters. Although boys may typically think of The Nutcracker as being “girlie”, there’s nothing girlie about this version!!! And I have to say, the Rat Bats actually remind me of the Flying Monkeys in the “Wizard of Oz” as does the Rat Palace which equates to the Wicked Witch’s castle while the darkness of the Rat Kingdom has all the hallmarks of the steely grey feel of Tim Burton’s “Batman.”
Calling on cinematographer Mike Southon, visual effects supervisor Nicholas Brooks and set designer Kevin Phipps, the meld of their talents creates spectacular 3D imagery in the first third of the film while we are learning about Mary and NC as they ride up the Christmas Tree into the world of make-believe. You can even see the eight sides to each snowflake and the twinkle of lights mirrored against the shiny ornaments. Exquisitely done. However, but for this followed by the chase sequences within the Rat Kingdom and sewers seen later on the film, I don’t believe the 3D was warranted or utilized to its fullest extent. But, those tree sequences and a pillow belly flop by NC – simply glorious and magical in 3D!!!!!
The true beauty of the entire film is The Nutcracker Suite itself playing as a subtle background score throughout the entire film. It never leaves your mind or your heart and fills you with thoughts of sugar plum fairies and the magic of Christmas. The Russian Symphony’s performance of the Suite is elegant and emotional. I do have to question though, putting words to the symphonic music, albeit Tim Rice’s words, to create eight “songs.” Although each “song” was worked in with the words as part of the story and dialogue, it cheapens the overall film, detracting from the theatrical effect of the music itself and some wonderful imaginative visuals.
It wouldn’t be Christmas without The Nutcracker and thanks to the imagination of Andrei Konchalovsky, we now have an entirely new visionary experience with THE NUTCRACKER 3D. And although there are some shortcomings, this is a holiday movie-going experience not be missed. It’s one that generations can share together and one that will undoubtedly become yet another part of many holiday traditions.
Mary – Elle Fanning
Uncle Albert – Nathan Lane
NC – Shirley Henderson (voice)
Directed by Andrei Konchalovsky. Written by Konchalovsky and Chris Solimine.
