Dark Eyes (1987)

Set adrift on the open sea at the dawn of the 20th-century, a middle-aged Italian named Romano Patroni, a man with a clownish charm and seemingly superfluous existence, weaves an enchanting tale of love to an intrigued Russian listener. The narrative unfolds as a series of flashbacks, captured in a dreamlike palette of creams, whites, and ochers, mirroring the ethereal nature of the love story. Patroni, discontent in his opulent yet joyless marital home, seeks solace at a tranquil spa, where he unexpectedly succumbs to the allure of a mysterious Russian woman. Her marriage, a bleak portrait of torment, captivates him, and he is drawn into the stark beauty of her Russian homeland, a stark contrast to his Italian roots. Smitten by this passionate love, Patroni contemplates the impossible: abandoning his affluent life in Italy and pledging his future to this Russian enchantress. As he resolves to leave his wife, he breathes life into his tale with heart-wrenching sincerity, leaving his Russian listener moved, and in turn, sharing a shorter tale of his own. Dark Eyes (1987) is a mesmerizing exploration of love and sacrifice, a tale told in hues of nostalgia and longing, where the pursuit of love knows no boundaries, and the heart's journey is as vast as the sea itself. It is a testament to the power of memory and the indelibility of love, told through the eyes of a man who dared to follow his heart into the unknown.

Dark Eyes is a comedy movie featuring Marcello Mastroianni and directed by Nikita Mikhalkov.

It is possible to rent Dark Eyes on Amazon Video.