Tchaikovsky's Wife
Historical drama about the tumultuous marriage between aristocratic Antonina Miliukova and composer Pyotr Tchaikovsky, who slowly drove his wife to madness.
When music student Antonina meets Tchaikovsky, she is immediately in a state of total adoration. Without making it clear why, she insists on marrying him – ignoring rumours about his homosexuality. At first, the famous composer is not interested in her at all, but after her insistence and emotional blackmail, he sees the financial and social benefits of a union. But soon after their marriage, he tries to get rid of her in every possible way. The image of an annoying fly symbolises the irritation he feels.
The film is made entirely from the perspective of the infelicitous Antonina; Tchaikovsky’s role as a composer is not addressed. What remains is the image of an obsessive, narcissistic and fanatical woman, an unwanted outsider who ends up in a mental institution. (av)