The movie Maria's Lovers, directed by Andrei Konchalovsky and released in 1984, delves into the complexities of love, trauma, and identity against the backdrop of a small town in America during the 1950s.
Ivan Bibic, played by John Savage, returns home to Apollo, a small suburb of Pittsburgh, after spending three years as a prisoner of war in Japan during World War II. He is haunted by the memories of the atrocities he witnessed and suffered, and finds it hard to readjust to civilian life. Ivan is a proud Yugoslavian and is deeply connected to his cultural roots. The only bright spot in his life is his reunion with his childhood sweetheart, Maria Bosic, played by Nastassja Kinski.
Maria is a beautiful and free-spirited young woman who is aching for love and passion. She is engaged to Captain Al Griselli, played by Keith Carradine, but feels unfulfilled by their relationship. When Ivan returns and they rekindle their romance, she sees a chance to break free from the constraints of her conservative family and society.
Ivan's father, played by Robert Mitchum, warns him against marrying Maria, fearing that her wild nature will clash with his son's fragile psyche. But Ivan is determined to prove him wrong and marries Maria anyway. However, on their wedding night, Ivan is unable to perform sexually, tormented by the memories of his brutal captivity. This leads to further trauma and guilt, and he starts to distance himself from Maria, questioning his feelings for her and wondering if he is truly worthy of her love.
In the meantime, a charming and smooth-talking musician, Clarence Butts, played by Vincent Spano, arrives in town and starts to woo Maria. He is everything Ivan is not- confident, carefree, and passionate. Maria falls for his charm and they begin an affair. This leads to a clash of cultures, identities, and passions, as Ivan and Maria struggle to find their way back to each other.
The movie is a poignant exploration of the scars of war, the pain of love, and the challenges of identity in a rapidly changing America. It features outstanding performances by the lead actors and a beautiful soundtrack that captures the mood of the era.
