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.
前面一度以为在看鬼片…整部片子好平静、最有亮点的是卖房子那一段，还有主任也很可爱。思觉失调，第二次听到这个词了，上一次也是贾静雯的片子。
我喜欢钟孟宏拍的所有电影。这次是新冠疫情背景下单亲家庭母女。生活不易长期压抑的情绪最终会变为洪水席卷一切。城市中产的崩溃就在一瞬间。叛逆的女儿一夜之间成熟到令人心疼。希望贾静雯可以拿今年金马影后。
母亲沉重的心结，仿佛湍流的瀑布，在耳边嗡嗡作响，无力摆脱；
很耐心地拍了一个概括起来很硬拗的故事，最佳美术/立意的设计，就是蓝色帆布包围的公寓大楼，特写镜头中打在贾静雯脸上的蓝光，就像《大开眼戒》那样，营造出一种幽闭、近乎诡异的精神困境（讲真为啥有如此阴间的公共设施），which与疫情、疾病主题糅合，深化《阳光普照》的现代人精神危机。钟孟宏好像在教学社会流电影的符号，从墙上画、耳中歌到蛇、护腕、湍流，最终走向室外、社区、劳动，照耀受疏离之苦的灵魂，但正如刘擎分析的，现代人精神危机不是个人的问题，而要放在整个现代性、理性化的背景下，这可能超出了影片的能力，只能用新闻片段略作勾勒，于是我们看不到《小丑》那样从心理渊薮外化的街头暴乱，只有零碎的、如同演员综艺的段落，以及迫不及待参与叙事的配乐，就好像危机必须被温情保护，一戴上就拿不下来。
虽然算不上是什么佳作，但台湾近年来这类型的片子拿捏的很好，本片前20分钟我以为会是一部比较温暖的亲情片，但越看画风越诡异，直到最后野外烤肉那5分钟，整个人都跟着剧情变得揪心了起来。贾静雯演失心疯还是挺让人发寒的。
整个观看体验要比钟导的前几部作品都要差上许多，不只是因为故事没有《阳光普照》那般流畅，整部片子的剪辑节奏把握的也相当割裂。音乐和摄影依旧好评，都是熟悉的感觉。里面那些惊悚魔怔的片段有些像《失魂》，不得不说钟孟宏独有的恐怖片处理方式。
这个电影，难道不好吗。难道不正是二零二一的内地 影院里 所缺少的嘛。人们需要思考，人们需要情感。不仅仅是歌功颂德，不仅仅是核心价值，不仅仅是嬉笑怒骂。
之前几部如果说是表面鸡汤实则暗黑，这次钟孟宏终于拍了一部真的彻彻底底的鸡汤。
平静表面下，激水横流。虽然不如阳光普照故事性那么强那么精妙，但消防员抓住那条蛇的时候，我就知道这部电影也抓到我了
故弄玄虚，有病和没病的都在呻吟。凄凄惨惨的“瀑布”有气无力。比《阳光普照》无厘头，是那种无趣的无厘头。本该是个很好的疫情题材，却搞成神经病的唠唠叨叨。就这还敢拿《电车狂》做提示，把钟孟宏捧得越来越烂，离黑泽明越来越远，挺好！2
一样的字体，一样的色调，但是喜欢没有了。只觉得事情一路下滑，好像没有什么缓转的地方，就向瀑布飞流直下，落在地上也是最后的重击。没有希望的感觉。
出发点是善良的，但真的太假惹，而且结尾那段让人心塞的剧情狠扣87分。
三星半。钟孟宏的作品，总是举重若重和中规中矩了些，不过看到贾静雯说“不要再问我‘你还好吗’，我会想办法好起来”，还是有被打动。这两年身边情绪病的朋友远比我想象得多得多，推荐给身处“瀑布”中的朋友们。
钟导雄厚的功力都在细节之处体现了出来，两大女主表演一个比一个棒！生命的本质都是在挫折中才找得到的。
摄影打光越好显得故事越尴尬，相比之下《秘密访客》都能及格了。魏如萱的台词太烂了，再加上本身就做作的对白，难受到让人翻白眼。/以及为什么所有人都要戴四千年美女的大口罩？褶皱都不扯开的口罩，和疫情背景一样无效。
感觉失调、瀑布、中产的生活、曾经的爸爸，多出来的弟弟，都是幻觉。“不要问我还好吗，我会努力好起来”，当下好好的就很好。
电影的文本意向是很深厚的，但是感觉有点造成叙事的轻微断裂感！ 视角难得放置在女性身份上，也是不错的片子！
多0.5星是经历过幻听和老旧楼房外立面加固围挡人士的共情分，能够清楚说出自己的那个声音就是在拆除围挡重新透亮，这一点真的被戳到……但是怕了魏如萱，那段描述她脑海里声音的表演差点儿让我弃片……
你说它做作也好沉闷也罢，但在华语影坛还能这么风格独树一帜的也只有台湾电影了。后半部分要好于前半部分，有种突然要放晴又下起了暴雨的那种猝不及防。导演个人风格还需要更精更沉更深的历练才能达到某种大师级的水准，很多地方都过于刻板而失了纯粹和真诚。贾静雯的演技吧我觉得拿影后有点过誉了，可能也确实没有什么能竞争的对手了。
可以不要说“你还好吗？” 不好的时候是无法说出还好的 因为真的很不好
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