The Man Who Cried Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A Russian girl, a Russian showgirl, and a hot gypsy deal with the Nazi occupation of Paris and bad communication skills.

🍿 The Man Who Cried: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Fegele’s Early Life in Russia

In 1927 Russia, Fegele, a young Jewish girl, lives with her loving father, a talented singer. He promises to send for her and her mother once he establishes himself in America. This section establishes the strong bond between father and daughter, emphasizing their shared love for music and their Jewish heritage.

Separation and New Identity in England

Tragedy strikes as Fegele’s village is attacked, leading to the death of her mother and her separation from other children fleeing the port. She finds herself on a ship bound for England, where she is renamed Suzie and adopted by a British family. She assimilates and grows up distanced from her roots, but holds on to a picture of her father.

Parisian Dreams and Friendships

Years later, Suzie moves to Paris, seeking to earn money to find her father. She becomes a singer and dancer, befriending Lola, a Russian showgirl who dreams of marrying a rich man. This part of the story introduces the complex relationships and Suzie’s ambition to be reunited with her father.

Love and War in Paris

Suzie falls in love with Cesar, a handsome gypsy horse trainer. Meanwhile, Lola becomes entangled with Dante Dominio, an opera singer and Mussolini supporter. As the Nazi threat looms, Suzie must decide whether to stay with Cesar or continue her search for her father in America.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Suzie (Christina Ricci): A Jewish refugee who becomes a singer in Paris while searching for her father and finding love amidst the encroaching Nazi threat.
• Lola (Cate Blanchett): A Russian showgirl in Paris who seeks a wealthy husband and becomes entangled with an opera star.
• Cesar (Johnny Depp): A handsome gypsy horse trainer who captivates Suzie and faces persecution as the Nazi war machine advances.
• Dante Dominio (John Turturro): An egotistical Italian opera singer and supporter of Mussolini whose fame masks his prejudiced views.
• Father (Oleg Yankovskiy): Suzie’s father who leaves Russia for America in search of a better life, promising to send for his family later.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Cesar: “It’s better to run and live than to stay and die.” – This encapsulates the survivalist mentality during wartime and the difficult choices people had to make.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $15,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $747,092
• Worldwide Gross: $1,322,763

💥 The Man Who Cried Reviews

Personal Review

I was drawn in by the cast, especially Christina Ricci and Johnny Depp, but I was disappointed with the overall impact. While the movie had beautiful moments and the music was haunting, the plot felt disjointed and hard to connect with. I loved the scenes with Cate Blanchett and John Turturro – their dynamic was the most compelling part for me. The ending left me feeling a bit empty; I wanted more resolution for Suzie’s character. I wouldn’t say it’s a bad movie, but it’s not one I’d rush to watch again.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of historical dramas”
  • “Viewers interested in stories about identity and displacement”
  • “Admirers of Christina Ricci, Cate Blanchett, and Johnny Depp”
  • “Those who appreciate films with strong musical elements and cinematography”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Brief nudity”
  • “Depiction of war violence and Nazi persecution”
  • “Mild language”
  • “Themes of displacement and separation that may be emotionally triggering”

Professional Reviews

• IMDb: “Potter shows visual and thematic talent, but struggles with storytelling. The first 40 minutes are masterful, but the rest is familiar. The interesting plot line involves Lola and Dante, brought to life by Blanchett and Turturro. Ricci is good, while Depp is merely a plot device. Great art direction, music, and cinematography.
• IMDb: “Visually stunning with superb acting, but slow-paced and character-driven. Great acting from Ricci, Blanchett, Depp, and Turturro. Recommends to those who enjoy character development and excellent acting. The soundtrack is an amazing match for the scenery.
• IMDb: “The film is visually gorgeous, with scenes among the most beautiful ever filmed. Music carries emotional and spiritual truth with force. Performances are effective, especially Ricci as the “mute heroine.” Blanchett is captivating, and Depp is talented. A must-see.

Audience Reactions

Beautiful cinematography and haunting music created a sensual, waltz-like pace that draws you into the characters’ emotions.: Visually stunning, haunting music, great character development, and the emotional performances of the cast are praised.

Overall Consensus: A visually beautiful film with excellent acting, but often criticized for its slow pace, disjointed plot, and lack of emotional engagement.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Director Sally Potter wanted the music to carry as much emotional weight as the images and characters, incorporating culturally eloquent pieces to remind the characters of their identities.”
• “Christina Ricci and Johnny Depp found it amusing to film intimate scenes, as they had first met when Ricci was 9 and Depp was 26 on the set of ‘Mermaids’.”
• “The film’s cinematography was Sacha Vierny’s last project.”

🖥️ How to Watch The Man Who Cried?

As of October 2024, ‘The Man Who Cried’ is available for purchase or rental on platforms such as Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Vudu. Check your preferred streaming platform for availability.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed The Man Who Cried, you might like these similar films:

• Europa Europa (1990): Both films depict the struggles of Jewish individuals trying to survive during World War II, focusing on themes of identity and persecution.
• Chocolat (2000): Features Johnny Depp in a similar role as a free-spirited, romantic outsider in a French setting, dealing with themes of prejudice and acceptance.
• Life is Beautiful (1997): Deals with the Holocaust, presenting a poignant story of love and sacrifice amidst the horrors of war.

🛒 The Man Who Cried Related Products

• The Man Who Cried [Soundtrack]: Experience the hauntingly beautiful music from the film, featuring a blend of Yiddish songs, operatic arias, and original compositions by Osvaldo Golijov. Immerse yourself in the emotional landscape of the movie with this captivating soundtrack.
• Christina Ricci Signed Photo: Own a piece of movie history with this autographed photo of Christina Ricci as Suzie. This unique collectible is perfect for fans and movie memorabilia enthusiasts.
• Cate Blanchett Movie Poster Collection: Add a vintage movie poster of Cate Blanchett from ‘The Man Who Cried’ to your collection! Captures Blanchett’s alluring presence, showcasing her performance as Lola.
• Johnny Depp: Hollywood Rebel: Delve into the enigmatic world of Johnny Depp with this compelling biography. Discover his journey from unconventional roles to Hollywood icon, including his role as Cesar in ‘The Man Who Cried’.

🎧 Soundtrack

The Man Who Cried features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Je crois entendre encore (Yiddish Version)” – performed by Salvatore Licitra and Orchestra of the Royal Opera House
• “Dido’s Lament” – performed by Henry Purcell

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

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