無雷簡介
由Ernst Lubitsch和Billy Wilder等兩大喜劇天才共同合作的《俄宮豔使》,絕對是影迷們不可錯過的經典喜劇。(前者為導演,後者負責編劇,而本片另一位編劇為Charles Brackett,曾與Billy Wilder合作《失去的週末》和《紅樓金粉》等影史經典。)
不苟言笑的俄國女特使Ninotchka,為了協助該國另外三名特使順利完成任務而前往法國巴黎,但在這趟公務之旅中,卻發生了讓她意想不到的文化衝擊與戀情。
有雷賞析
本片以詼諧逗趣的方式探討較為嚴肅的政治議題,開場時的文字敘述,即以“siren”的雙關語為其幽默的氛圍定調,而片中更運用許多妙趣橫生的對白,對共產主義狠狠嘲弄一番,如:
Buljanoff: How are things in Moscow?
Ninotchka: Very Good. The last mass trials were a great success. There are going to be fewer but better Russians.
Ninotchka: I have heard of the arrogant male in capitalistic society. It is having a superior earning power that makes you that way.
Leon: A Russian! I love Russians! Comrade, I’ve been fascinated by your five-year plan for the last fifteen years.
Ninotchka: Your type will soon be extinct.
而除了逗人發笑的對白以外,片中也使用許多平行對照,來呈現在共產政權統治下,人民艱難困苦的生活,包括:一人獨享的皇家套房與多人共用的簡陋房間、分別放出美妙音樂和大內宣的收音機、華麗與樸素的服裝、自由傳達愛意與因思想審查而被刪的只剩頭尾的書信,以及在法國餐廳隨點即有,但在俄國則必須辛苦省下限額配給的雞蛋,才能勉強製作的歐姆蛋等等。
值得一提的是,本片雖然著重在批判共產主義,但對於助長人性貪婪的資本主義,同樣也毫不留情的諷刺,如:
Mercier: Frankly gentlemen, we’re expected to take a loss.
Iranoff: Capitalistic methods…
Buljanoff: [nodding in agreement] They accumulate millions while taking loss after loss!
Ninotchka: Why should you carry other people’s bags?
Porter: Well, that’s my business, Madame.
Ninotchka: That’s no business. That’s social injustice.
Porter: That depends on the tip.
而以下精妙的對白更是讓人印象深刻:
Ninotchka: We don’t have men like you in my country.
Leon: Thank you.
Ninotchka: That is why I believe in the future of my country.
在這段極為簡短的對話中,同時嘲諷了過度自由所帶來的混亂失序,以及在高壓統治下無法表達自我的悲哀,實屬高明。
當然,以上的例子僅為九牛一毛,片中還有太多的笑料與內容值得我們細細品味反思。
《俄宮豔使》──獻給既正經又不正經的你。