Vanya on 42nd Street
Seen it?1994 | 120 min | Drama
Sunday Safe Betearly ratingWhy it’s a Sunday Safe Bet
It earned strong reviews (89% on Rotten Tomatoes), though it had soft box office and little lasting buzz. A safe bet when you want something reliable.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for anyone who loves a strong drama. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
- The mood
- Thoughtful and character-driven.
- The pace
- Takes its time with its characters, at 2 hr.
- What might put you off
- Rated PG. Worth a look first if you have very young kids.
- Audiences were cooler on it than critics.
An uninterrupted rehearsal of Chekhov's 'Uncle Vanya' plays out by a company of actors. The setting: their run-down theater with an unusable stage and crumbling ceiling. The play is shown act by act with the briefest of breaks to move props or for refreshments. The lack of costumes, real props and scenery is soon forgotten.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsStrong
89% on Rotten Tomatoes
- AudiencesSolid
6.7 out of 10
- AwardsNot counted
No major awards or nominations
- Box office & staying powerBelow par
$2 million worldwide; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactBelow par
About 34K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
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Cast & crew
Directed by Louis Malle
- Wallace ShawnVanya
- Julianne MooreYelena
- Larry PineDr. Astrov
- Brooke SmithSonya
- George GaynesSerybryakov
- Lynn CohenMaman
- Phoebe BrandNanny
- Jerry MayerWaffles
- Andre GregoryHimself
- Madhur JaffreyMrs. Chao