Softwing
Most undeservingly overhyped movie of all time??
InspireGato
Film Perfection
Keira Brennan
The movie is made so realistic it has a lot of that WoW feeling at the right moments and never tooo over the top. the suspense is done so well and the emotion is felt. Very well put together with the music and all.
sandra-b-2
I'm not a great fan of Nikita Mikhalkov and Russian cinematography, but I must confess that this is a masterpiece. It shows the things that Russians can be proud of - old bright traditions and customs, their devotion to their country, the trades of character that are typical to the Russians and the power of their country that has been growing more and more with the time. I think it's a great chance for the strangers to get acquainted with the epoch of tsarism - both majestic and contradictory.As for the main love line of the story I must say it's gorgeous. Affection between a young shy guy and an experienced woman who was making her business through lies and flirtation - astonishes from the first sight. If it was a soap opera, we would be disappointed with the happy end. But the final of this story - even more tragic than anyone could imagine - strikes you most. Frankly speaking, I kept a hope that everything could somehow be all right. Unfortunately, it didn't. But that story was haunting me for days after watching. It proves that incredible impressions that one can have after this movie.I liked the peculiar comparison of Russians and Americans. It was interesting to watch how Jane was trying to know the secret of Russian stubbornness and obsession with principles. She could hardly make a step to the total comprehension of such things. Well, I doubt whether anyone succeeded.Also I revealed that Julia Ormond is a perfect actress, cause she did a wonderful job in this movie. As for Oleg Menshikov and the other Russian actors, they were great as well. Nikita Mikhalkov proved once more that he is a skillful and talented director.So take pleasure while watching. It is certainly a worthy picture.
Dmitry
This movie is a good work for export sale. Collection of some widespread (among foreigners) myths about Russia: the way Russians drink vodka, the way they "have rest", "bears in the street" and so on. In addition the movie has some slip-ups like Soviet lampposts near Kremlin, stars over Kremlin towers, 50 stars on American flag of early 20th century et al. On the other hand, perhaps, Mikhalkov tried to show Russians' good sides for the foreigners who only know those myths and he did it the way they could understand. Girls cried for the love story, they loved the movie. Funny thing: the movie was produced by Mikhalkov himself, but "supported" by State Committee of Cinema, then the movie was shown on TV – hey, tax-payers! ;). Wow, "The Barber" became the really profitable commercial project. So, summary. You can watch this movie one time or another but remember: you will see authentic scenes, dresses and surroundings as well as the usual "Russian myths" made for export, quite beautiful picture and quite predictable love story.
PADRAEG SULLIVAN
I think this film has shown both the dark and positive side of Russian culture. The absolute power of the Czar is contrasted with the American chaos, and the hero's free spirit. That spirit seems to have been oppressed more by the czars, than in the rest of Europe. The tragic hero is felled by a flaw, unrelated to his heroism. But that is the conventional Russian melancholy. I believe this is overcome by the hero, in spirit, and is leading the way to a new awakening. I really solicit comments on this view!Also, I think it absurd to ban someone who violates displaying the spoiler. Being uncertain if my comment above is truly a spoiler, but thinking some may think it so, i selected that box.The punishment should be to mark ALL the offender's comments as spoilers. 100% guarantee not to repeat the offense, deterrence, even punishment, but not capital punishment!
dbborroughs
This long Russian film set before the Soviet take over is of the sort they don't make any more. The story of a "mad" inventor, a young woman, and a cadet in the military is a wonderful way to spend a rainy afternoon. This is a small scale epic that haunts you long after you've finished watching it.I've heard that this film was brought to Cannes with great expectations only to have it poorly received and so found itself doomed to near oblivion. I don't know if this is true or not but I do know that this film really needs to be seen by more people because its simply a good story about love and the choices we make.Richard Harris is wonderful in what is really a supporting role as the inventor, who's attempt to make money in Old Russia is the catalyst for love and tragedy. As the lovers Julia Ormand and Oleg Menshikov are perfect who's lives and love take some decidedly unexpected twists.Despite it being over three hours I doubt you'll be bored, I wasn't. (Though now there's a fuller version running almost five hours out there. One can hope that this will show up on American shores since the prospect of knowing more about these characters is exciting) If you can, see this movie, its very good stuff.
