Watch Gurov and Anna

Gurov and Anna is a 2014 drama film directed by Rafaël Ouellet which delves into the complex dynamics of romantic obsession, artistic inspiration, and the blurry lines between reality and fiction. The movie casts a spotlight on the life of Benoit, an English professor and aspiring writer portrayed by Andreas Apergis, as he finds himself entangled in a complicated relationship with one of his students, Mercedes, played by Sophie Desmarais. The film, with its intricate narrative and complex characters, offers a contemporary exploration of the themes found in Anton Chekhov's classic short story, "The Lady with the Dog."

The story follows Benoit, a man who, despite being married, is disenchanted with his mundane life and the lack of recognition for his literary work. When he teaches Chekhov's story in his class, he becomes fixated on the tragic romanticism and the ways in which it seems to mirror his own desires and feelings of entrapment. He views his marriage as routine and uninspired, leaving him feeling as if he is missing out on the passionate and spontaneous love depicted in literature.

Enter Mercedes, an intelligent and talented young student, fervent about literature. She captivates Benoit with her writing skills, insight into literature, and her passionate demeanor. Mercedes exudes creativity and a zest for life that Benoit finds himself enviously lacking. Their shared passion for Chekhov's work and the literary exploration of human affairs leads to a deep intellectual connection that swiftly transcends the confines of a typical student-teacher relationship.

Benoit, already detached from his own reality, finds himself drawn to Mercedes in a way that reflects the moral ambiguity celebrated in Chekhov's narrative. Through her, he yearns to experience the artistic and emotional liberation that he idolizes, but by projecting his literary aspirations and fantasies onto his real-life interactions with Mercedes, he risks losing grasp of the consequences his actions may have for those around him.

The film also delves into the struggles faced by aspiring writers and academics. The melancholy of unrealized potential and the challenges of balancing personal ambition with ethical responsibility form a persistent backdrop to the unfolding drama. Marie Fugain adds depth to the cast in a supporting role, creating a multi-faceted portrayal of relationships and the impact that fantasy can have on real lives.

Gurov and Anna is beautifully shot, with scenes that invoke a sense of the claustrophobic life Benoit experiences and contrast with his idealistic yearning for something more profound, mirroring the dual reality that he is living — one grounded in his responsibilities as a professor and family man, and the other soaring within the boundless realms of his desires and artistic aspirations.

Director Rafaël Ouellet approaches his subject matter with a careful touch, interweaving moments of intense emotion with subtler, more nuanced expressions of the film's themes. The cinematography supports this balance, embedding narrative themes within the visual elements of the film, such as the play of light and shadow or the framing of characters separated by barriers both physical and emotional.

Gurov and Anna’s detours into meta-narrative storytelling raise questions about the nature of fiction versus reality, and the degree to which we must hold ourselves accountable when our creations or desires impact our real world and relationships. At times, the film operates as a reflection on the process of storytelling itself, and the way narratives can consume their authors.

The performances by Sophie Desmarais and Andreas Apergis are captivating, effectively portraying the tumultuous inner worlds of their respective characters. Desmarais presents Mercedes as a beacon of vibrancy and intelligence while carrying an air of vulnerability. Apergis, on the other hand, gives a nuanced depiction of Benoit, a man divided between his mundane existence and his avant-garde aspirations, bringing a palpable sense of weariness tinged with fervor.

Throughout the film, the viewers are invited to consider the cost of creative and personal fulfillment, especially when it comes at the expense of others. It ponders on the implications of seeking the kind of love storied in literature, and how the illusion of that perfection can sabotage the real, more flawed, but attainable connections we have in life.

Gurov and Anna is a film that speaks to those who have ever felt trapped in the ordinariness of everyday life, to anyone infatuated with the ideal of a grand romance, and to those who are willing to reflect on the complexities and potential destructiveness of blurring the line between life and art.

Gurov and Anna is a 2014 romance movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 52 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.6.