Siesta

Siesta is a 1987 US independent thriller art film set in Spain, renowned as a cornerstone of 80s period filmmaking. Interestingly, it seamlessly couples elements of psychological mystery and thriller genres, developed under the creative direction of Mary Lambert. Unraveling the exceptional performances of Ellen Barkin, Gabriel Byrne, and Julian Sands, Siesta delves into the intricacies of fragmented realities and the subjective nature of memory.

The film paints a vivid picture with Barkin playing the lead role of Claire, a professional daredevil skydiver, equally infamous for her bold contradictions and adventure-driven spirit. Her radical existence is disheveled when she wakes up, bloodied and disoriented in a Madrid airport, without any tangible recollection of her recent past. Claire embarks on a serpentine journey to retrace her steps, her lost hours, initiated by an alarming sense of unfamiliarity coupled with vivid flashes of disturbing images.

The narrative mise en scène masterfully introduces the supporting characters, played by the versatile Gabriel Byrne and Julian Sands. Byrne, as Del, beautifully portrays the character of a mysterious previous lover, adding layers of complexity that push the boundaries of an archetypal lover’s role. The character of Augustine, articulated by Julian Sands, inversely provides a contrasting dynamic to the peripheries of Claire's reality. Augustine is mysterious yet intense, which dances beautifully in and around the narrative progression, adding another layer of intrigue and suspense to the movie.

The ensemble cast - Martin Sheen and Isabella Rossellini further contribute to the solidifying plot, their roles set against the backdrop of the wonders and eccentricities of an almost surreal Spain. Their performances as depicted against the sun-drenched surrealism of the Spanish landscape amplify director Lambert's vision to blend a hallucinatory narrative with the stark, harsh realities of human existence.

Mary Lambert, known for her foray into the enticing and obscure universe of music videos, notably for Madonna, makes her directorial debut with Siesta. Her eye for visually explosive sequences coupled with the dreamlike and at times, phantasmagoric montage of scenes, particularly the skydiving sequences, present an irresistible visual feast. Siesta is an auteur’s vision colored in surrealist hues grounded in a credible narrative. True to her style, Lambert's vision commands an intensely captivating atmosphere, reflecting an experimental outlook towards film narrative.

Siena Rogers and Patricia Louisianna Knop's screenplay, based on Patrice Chaplin's novel, is subtly embedded with fragmented puzzles that guide the narrative journey. The movie is a fitting homage to the style of Spanish surrealist Salvador Dali and the psychological explorations undertaken by directors like David Lynch. Furthermore, Marcus Miller's sultry jazz score adds a beautifully hypnotic quality to the highly charged emotional drama. With a seasoning of jazz and surrealism packed into its storyline, Siesta brings an avant-garde charm to the fore.

The cinematography by Bryan Loftus, notably recognized for his eminent work in Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining, births an unavoidable alliance of visual brilliance and storytelling. His lens capably captures Barkin's riveting performance, showcasing her emotional range and depth. Loftus understands the setting as a character itself and paints the Spanish countryside as a melancholic and mystical protagonist that adds weight to the overall narrative.

In conclusion, Siesta is an immersive visual and narrative experience, a cinematic portrayal of the journey through a forgotten past, punctuated by the mime of reality and the exploration of the human psyche. It provides a different tang to the regular narrative thrillers, trailing diverse paths of surrealism and enticing the viewers into the whirlpool of an old-world charm fed with psychological wonderment. A must-watch for admirers of unnerving suspense and ambitious storytelling.