A deep well, but confusing

Rating: 5/10 (4 February 2019)

Set in post WWII Poland, two musical artists are ill-fated in love, and struggle with maintaining their love while separated by politics and circumstance.
This film had its moments of brilliance, especially the musical score, but the plot was sometimes indiscernible. I felt like this story was freewheeling through space and time with no compass. Maybe this was emblematic of the jazz period that filtered through the background, but this felt more like a gothic romance set out of place.
I could not always sympathize with the characters' decisions or issues, especially since many of their issues were self-inflicted. The chemistry between the two leads was there but it did not help with the stilted, manufactured anger (which some mistake for passion) that would bubble up periodically throughout their decades long semi-relationship.
I did not like this film as a whole, although some things were good. I felt the music, the jazz era coolness and messy vibe. I felt the coldness and the settings. On the other hand, the passages of time gave me whiplash. I could barely understand the motivation for anyone's actions. The emotional arc was severely curved. I could relate to the feeling of being drawn to the same person throughout life because they were your first love, but the way that these protagonists treated each other made no sense. I'm surprised it is getting so many rave reviews. Perhaps because the soundtrack is amazing, which is why it gets a 5/10 from me.