The Doll

A handsomely mounted Polish marathon based on a celebrated 19th century novel set in Warsaw about a merchant who falls in love with a beautiful aristocrat. For the first half-hour or so the going is pretty heavy, but after that, although the numerous characters remain confusing, it begins to mesmerise. The acting is persuasive, and the scope of the production is quite vast, with Has' camera sweeping through 19th century Warsaw, setting up a satirical portrait of social decadence as the obsessional love of the wealthy merchant, scorned by the aristocracy behind his back, is meticulously probed.