Doctor Zhivago Movie Analysis

📌Category: Entertainment, Movies
📌Words: 936
📌Pages: 4
📌Published: 19 April 2022

Written by Boris Pasternak as a rejection to Russian censorship, the book Doctor Zhivago along with the movie of the same name tells the fictional life of Yuri Zhivago in Russia from the 1905 revolution to the Russian Civil War. Zhivago is a well received poet and medical practitioner who marries Tonya Gromeko, but consequently falls in love with Lara Antipov. Zhivago plays a passive role as the protagonist and is forced to react to the political changes in Russia for much of the film. Many of the decisions he makes are under the guise of ensuring his family’s safety, like when he moves them to Varykino. As well as when he denounces his position as a physician in the war and escapes from army officials to be reunited with his family. The overarching theme of the story shows the constant tribulations and sacrifices people must make under different political Russian rule. The genre of the film is a dramatic romance, yet the story is strictly integrated around the political forces at the time. It's a movie that is easy to follow due in part to its entertaining quality and its usage of plot structure. There is a distinct exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution. For those who are intrigued by a theatrical take on the politically turbulent time of 1900s to 1920s Russia, Doctor Zhivago is an excellent must-watch film.

There was a distinct effort made to build up the time period of the story. Lengthy scenes are common, many characters have meaningful monologues about the state of Russia and their experiences. In the exposition of the movie when the citizens attempt to rally for their rights, the military runs over them with horses and attacks them with weapons. Several people were fatally injured. This disrupts the course of the film as it has a distinct impact on Pasha Antipov; he later devotes his life to the political Bolshevik party and in turn kills those who support the Czarist regime. Yuri Zhivago at first supports the tumultuous revolution of the people, a cause which demands progressive rights for the citizens. However, after attempting to help other people affected by the World War I recession they are taken advantage of. Zhivago and his wife come from affluent backgrounds before the war. Those who are especially poor recognize this and steal not only the rooms in the estate but also Zhivago’s personal belongings. The tensions felt from not knowing whether or not the family will be safe and together is built heavily in the rising action. The story shifts, resulting in a relocation of the entire family to a remote countryside. Zhivago, having previously supported Russia in World War 1 by medically tending to soldiers, is also starkly repressed by Russia. He has lost most of his personal belongings and his lifestyle is completely transformed after the war. This is one of the many highlights of the film, as it becomes apparent that their lives are on a downward trend from that moment on. 

While living in the countryside, Zhivago rekindles his romantic relationship with Lara Antipov. Upon returning home after ending his affair with Lara, Zhivago is kidnapped by the Red Army during the Russian civil war and forced to be a physician to wounded soldiers. Zhivago works tirelessly to help aid gunshot injuries and lacerations. It is clear after months in service, that he will not be allowed to return home. The army officials discuss the bad shape of the troops and how much Zhivago's expertise is needed, even though it is against his will. The film reaches its climax when Zhivago abandons his post and flees from the civil war to find his family. He hears the news from Lara Antipov that Tonya and his children have been deported and plan to live in Paris. Once again he resumes his relationship with Lara, eventually moving them (Lara’s daughter included) to the estate in the Varykino countryside. Winter presents a melancholic atmosphere as the three of them suffer while living in an ice shrouded home with little to no amenities. However, upon rejoicing with Lara the two of them find comfort in one another and consummate, resulting in Lara’s pregnancy. In the falling action of the film Zhivago, having completely turned his life around, ceases the search for Tonya and his family. He is also separated swiftly from Lara and her daughter by sending them away with Komarovsky to find better living conditions. Zhivago and Lara never meet again but Zhivago’s brother, Yevgraf, searches cautiously for their lost child. Eventually he finds Zhivago’s daughter in the resolution. This epic story tells the dramatized life and romance of Yuri Zhivago, but it does so much more than just that. It details the painstaking reality of Russian citizens during a period of continuous political upheaval. 

Chronicling the period from the Bolshevik party to the rise of Joseph Stalin’s communist regime in the Soviet Union, Doctor Zhivago does well to display the many people who were displaced, starved, and forgotten about. This encompassing theme of hardship and sacrifice in Doctor Zhivago is deliberate. Zhivago and his family are continuously being stripped of their personal belongings, and their abilities to express discontent under different political leaders. It's an honest portrayal as the main protagonist is merely a simple citizen. Although his poetry is admired by many, he is no more than a victim of political misconduct in this story. The structure of the film also humanizes both sides of the political strife in Russia as it begins on a simple note in the exposition, and then broadens its scope in the climax before coming to a complex resolution. By imploring this plot structure, the film is easier to follow despite its many topics and characters. The film’s message is delivered so clearly and repeatedly in the 200 minutes of screentime that it's fulfilling to watch to get a more comprehensive understanding of the time period. Thus, for the educational and entertaining elements of the film along with its structure it is an enjoyable and meaningful watch for all.

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