In the time of Counter-Reformation, a miller and his son come under investigation by a priest of the Inquisition, when rumors spread that their prosperity comes from working with the Devil.
The Devil's Trap is a film directed by František Vlá?il, based on a novel by Alfréd Technik, adapted by František A. Dvorák and Miloš Kratochvíl. It was the first of three historical dramas that Vlá?il made during the Czech New Wave (technically he isn't really a part of the New Wave, however these films were made during the same era of artistic freedom), preceding his more well known Marketa Lazarová (1967) and Valley of the Bees (1968).
Set in the late 16th Century during the Catholic Reformation, in the Moravian Karst, situated in what is now the Eastern Czech Republic, it tells the tale of a miller (Vítezslav Vejrazka), and his son Jan (Vít Olmer), who come under suspicion and are investigated by a Jesuit priest of the Inquisition (Miroslav Macháchek), when rumors of witchcraft are spread by the local regent (Cestmír Randa), who is jealous of the miller's prosperity and degree of respect among the local populace.
As expected from Vlá?il, this film is a stunning experience all the way through. From the opening shot, an ominous manipulation of perspective with a close up of a mangled figure of Christ dominating the foreground against a tiny figure in black walking along the horizon, to the breathtaking confrontational finale inside the vast stalactite filled Karst caverns, it is a wonderful display of visual mastery.
Maybe not quite as impressive as Marketa Lazarová, but still full of astonishing imagery. As seen from unique angles and distinct points of view which highlight the director's remarkable sense of awareness of framing, motion, and positioning on the emotional and dramatic tone of the scene. The most memorable being a repeated shot where the camera is suspended and launched with speed through the air towards the miller's door.
The story here is a simple one and I would say more accessible than his later works. With a conventional structure emphasized as much by its plot and characters, than by its expressionistic cinematography or authentic historical detail. The events play out without much surprise, and there is a strong underlying, almost supernatural, mysterious aspect that is left unresolved, in fact barely explored, which is slightly disappointing, but only because it's so fascinating that I wish there was more.
Acting is great all around. Particularly the villains: Miroslav Macháchek as the priest, casting a sinister and imposing shadow wherever he goes, and Cestmír Randa as the weasel like regent behind all the persecution. While Vít Olmer brings a charismatic leading man presence in his role as the miller's son Jan, in love with the lovely orphan girl Martina (Karla Chadimová), who becomes a dangerous object of rivalry between Jan and other young men of the village.
The film also features the evocative music of Zden?k Liška (perhaps the most prolific composer of the Czech New Wave). In this his second of eleven collaborations with Vlá?il, his compositions are used sparingly, but to great effect, complimenting but never overpowering a scene. The best example of which can be heard in an amazingly shot celebration and dance sequence at the end of the second act.
The Devil's Trap might not be a masterpiece, but it is still a strong effort, with a fascinating straightforward story and a glorious historical setting captured beautifully by Vlá?il's unmistakable visual prowess. A fine work that would also be the perfect starter plate to prepare yourself for the challenging feast of Marketa Lazarová or The Valley of the Bees. It even has an easy to digest running time. It's therefore puzzling why this gem remains largely overlooked and ignored.
像电视剧，直觉告诉我钟孟宏可能是个会关注比特币、NFT and 元宇宙的人。
情节设置真的不得要领，贾静雯角色受创的躁郁，当真在屋外罩下蓝色帘布，解开心理惊悚，消除膈应就抓走客厅里的那条蛇？女儿的刻画倒是很大的亮点，以及最后呼应“瀑布”的水流，妈妈守得的获救，让人有了记忆点
比如瀑布与最终“母亲承受的女儿仍要承受”，比如蛇——蛇出现的那一刻我甚至哭了出来了，有一种被看见被承认后的轰隆委屈，虽然下一秒变成了“刘冠廷好帅！！！”
这个故事走向太成迷了，仿佛前面关于疫情和展现惊悚气氛的部分像硬加的，因为并不是主要探讨疫情对人的影响，时效性显得很多余，母女关系对调那场戏好，再就是陈主任喊倒车有趣，其他再无亮点了
在新电影里听到蔡琴老歌，挺好。贾静雯还是太漂亮，这对母女漂亮得不像出现在这样一个故事里的人物。关于坍塌与重建的故事，还是值得往里，再走走。7分。
4.有些台词别扭做作，并不生活化。
瀑布、疫情、单亲妈妈，成品出来都是表面的联系，到结尾真的是强行把瀑布按进剧情里，贾静雯演的很好，其他都有点苍白。
故事没问题。只是导演导得有点诡异，北京话说就是“晃范儿”，不过这诡异的劲头一直绷着没懈，所以硬说是风格也行。现代版《活着》吧。
完全可以代入和共情，虽然这样说有些矫情，但是这就是我们破碎人可以get的电影。
3.5 将人物处境放在后疫情时代产生的危机 钟孟宏的电影 透不过气的绝望中寻找一丝气息 一如既往 与闪光的点但叙事和手法中规中矩
戴着口罩只用眼睛就能表现出很多很多的情绪；放下某种角色期待之后反而是困境的突围。我好像，看太多类似主题的电影了QAQ
电影出乎意外地不是治愈的结局。这有点强行造成世事无常，人类在灾难面前无能为力的意思。人定胜天？人算不如天算。事与愿违。
对“为什么是我？”最好的回答是“我们一起好好把日子过下去”
我也不知道该怎么评价，看得贼费劲，分了三四次才看完。
钟孟宏2021年作品，女权向，贾静雯表演不错，母女互相的照顾，身边男性的友善，波澜不惊。
有自我重复，自我陶醉之嫌，钟孟宏导演的审美也很奇怪，讲边边角角的事情都花那么多时间，几个高潮也十分刻意做作，总觉得让人摸不着头脑。但看到后面还是感人的，前几天是高管，后几天是超市员工，人生不可测，珍惜自己身边的一切。
这个结尾就算是隐喻，也是过于明显又莫名其妙。
我很喜欢。无论是表演，内容，抑或是剧情，和温吞的节奏。
除了瀑布的轰隆，全片安静到只有人物的对话，甚至对话只在两个人之间。这种安静与素净，被放在诺大的城市喧嚣中，诠释了什么叫做静水流深，也凸显出，简洁的力量是如此的强大。
很喜欢王净，演的好。她怎么那么像年轻时的范晓萱……钟孟宏的作品，每次都有暗涌，这次变成明浪，直击感官！ 疫情下的病态躯壳，家庭缩影的生活压迫。在挣扎中喘息，总要乐观的活着……责任与爱也许真就是“他只是一个提供精子的男人”。对于女性很多时刻终归是宿命。人总需要喘息的出口，对于母亲角色，女儿就是出口，还好这出口是“通”的。 当灵魂被肆虐，大浪会冲走一切，水壶总会浇息燃气……自然会冲破一切，人却总会隐忍。这也是宿命！
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