RETURN TO MONTAUK

Germany, 2017, 105 minutes, Colour.
Stellan Skarsgaard, Nina Hoss, Suzanne Wolfe, Niels Arestrup.
Directed by Volker Schloendorff.

A significant factor for the success of this film is that it was co-written by celebrated and award-winning novelist, Colm Toibin (Brooklyn, The Testament of Mary). He has worked with the German director, Volker Schloendorff, who has been directing films since the 1960s.

In fact, this is the story about a novelist, played by Stellan Skarsgaard. It opens with a rather long monologue by the author, talking about his father, a philosopher, and about the writer’s life, meditating on the things that were done and were mistakes as well as on the things that were not done and should have been done. It is then revealed, as the camera moves back, that the writer is doing a reading for the public, a novel, rather than from his life – although, as the film continues, it is quite clear that much of the novel is autobiographical.

There is a whole lot of hoopla about the novelist coming back to New York City after an absence of 10 years. He is a German author but spent time, especially studying, in New York. At a reading, he encounters Walter (Neils Arestrup) who had been his mentor in the past, especially when he was studying with Rebecca with whom he had a relationship but had suddenly broken it off and lost contact with her.

With the title, it is return to New York City as well as, eventually to Montauk on Long Island.

Max, the author, has a companion, (Suzanne Wolfe) who has been in New York preparing his visit. There is also a PR person guiding him through his visit, arranging interviews. However, it is very clear that Max would like to find Rebecca again, gets her address at work, she comes down to see him but seems quite unwilling for any further contact. He then goes to her apartment, starting to think about the past again – and it appears, not only to Rebecca, but to the audience, that Max is living a dream, that he is rather self-centred, that he would like to plan a future that panders to himself and his wishes.

The exploration of this theme involves Rebecca inviting him to drive with her to Montauk to see a house that she is interested in buying. But Montauk was a place where they had been together, at a hotel, walking the beach… Which is something they do again. But, it is Rebecca who emerges with far more credibility than Max, her shock at his departure, her having to cope, her meeting someone who supported her in her work but who suddenly died, her grieving. After 10 years she is a prominent lawyer, working with a prestigious firm, often headhunted for other firms, able to command a sizeable fee.

Max goes back to New York where he has upset people by his absence. He has to face his companion and her dismay at the way that he has treated her.

The film is always interesting in its portrayal of the character of Max and Stellan Skarsgaard’s effective performance. It is always interesting in its exploration of the character of Rebecca, played by famous German actress, Nina Hoss. And it is interesting in its resolution and its non-resolutions and the audience left wondering what exactly Max’s future will be.

1. The contribution of the novelist, Colm Toibin, the story, the dialogue? The German director and his perspective on Germans and on the US? European sensibility on the United States?

2. The New York settings, the hotel, the impact of the initial close-up, discovering it was a reading? New York City, the public library, Montauk, the drive in Long Island, the hotel, the beaches, the house that Rebecca was interested in? A New York-Long? Island story? The title?

3. The opening, the close-up, Max’s reading, the story, like a monologue to camera? The philosophical ideas? The second reading, Clara? The publicist? Meeting Walter? Memories, Walter contributing to Max’s education, the influence? Information about Rebecca?

4. Max talking about the importance of something done that should not have been done and something that should have been done?

5. Clara, her relationship with Max, being sent to New York and doing the work, her devotion to him?

6. The public library reading, people and acclaim? The contact with Rebecca, the phone call, her coming down? Her not going to the reading?

7. The party, Max leaving, going to find Rebecca, the apartment, Rachel and her interest in Max? Her personality, friendship with Rebecca?

8. Rebecca’s story, the past and her studies, with Max and the affair? The break? In New York, studying law, her promotions with the different firms, her expertise, an expensive lawyer? Her interest in buying a house and retiring to Long Island?

9. The invitation to go to Montauk, Max accepting, Clara want him back for the reception? The publicist and her lie?

10. The drive, the talk, Rebecca and her control? Max and his immature behaviour and attitudes? The drive, the car in the sand, the hotel, settling in, going for walks, talking? Remembering, rekindling the past, the sexual encounter?

11. Rebecca going to the house, Rebecca needing to tell her story, the story of Marcus, her love, companionship, his sudden heart attack and death, wealth, the law and her life?

12. Max, naive, listening but self-absorbed? Wishing that everything could change? His talking about the break, leaving Rebecca, writing, the women in his life, the daughter, now aged 16? His thinking of going back to New York and being with Rebecca?

13. Walter and the promise of the picture, going to his apartment, Walter and his owning things and therefore being able to destroy them at will? Clara and her negative reaction? Max not taking the painting?

14. To New York, the encounter with Clara, her feelings, wanting the truth, concerned about what Max wanted her for, the seeming reconciliation, going to the airport – but her staying in New York?

15. Max, the end, the experience, any the wiser for the future?