Autumn Marathon (1979) User Reviews

Seems to go quicker than a marathon

[hte-trasme · 8/10 · 30 April 2014]

Not long ago I enjoyed Afonya, a previous film by director Georgiy Daneliya, and I couldn't help but notice that Autumn Marathon works by performing a similar trick in a very different way: it takes for its main character a man who should be considered quite bad by all measures of reason, but makes us like him, and sympathize with him for the situations he's clearly responsible for getting himself into.

But here it's not from indifferent charm that we feel for him, but as a embodiment of a very human quality of wanting to satisfy those who ask things of us. He's having an affair, and can make neither his wife nor his lover happy because he wants to please them both -- but that's only a part of a nonstop torment he causes himself including taking on translation work he doesn't have time for to help his boss, then not finishing it because he was helping a colleague, who end up taking his commissions. It's a fine tragic flaw in that it's easy for anyone to find some sympathy even if they are not personally a two-timer.

The titles call it a "sad comedy," and that's an appropriate phrase -- it borrows the structure and design of a comedy without having to worry about being funny every moment. So it satisfies in many of the same ways and, with a cast of good supporting characters, often is quite funny.

The well-orchestrated ending is great, and almost existential -- and appropriately simultaneously the funniest and saddest part.

Very nice movie

[karelina-anna-163-637954 · 8/10 · 18 November 2014]

The movie - The Autumn Marathon - is one of my favourite. I grew up in Soviet Union that transformed later into Russian Federation. I still remember those times. Actually, I remember times a little later than 1979 (I was born that year:)), but everything I see in this movie reminds me of my childhood: apartments, cars, clothes etc. I understand the mood of this film. Indeed, it was usual type of mood of "intelligensia" people. People who had good brains and realised they don't have much space to develop their talents. Of course, the character of the protagonist - Andrey - is complicated, he has many inside complexes and can't say "no" to anybody that causes problems for him and others. A man who is waiting for somebody else to made decision for him. He can't tear himself out of "love triangle" ( his wife, lover and him). At the end of the film we see how happy he is when it seems that his wife and lover finally left him. But everything gets back and Andrey's endless "marathon" running continues.....

A sad comedy

[Niffiwan · 7/10 · 21 November 2004]

This film takes a while to get going, but once it does it's a pretty good film. I strongly recommend it to those who'd like to see how ordinary people lived in the USSR in the early 80s.

The film takes place in Leningrad (now St. Petersburg), which is Russia's second largest city after Moscow. The cinematographer is this film is a very good one, and there are a lot of great compositional shots... I'd say that the cinematography in this film seems more western than a lot of other Russian films. The editing work and script, by contrast, is not always so good, especially in the beginning of the film (for the first 1/2 hour I didn't even know who the main character was!). The actors are all very believable though, and by the end of the film I pretty much understood everything that I was so confused about at first.

This film isn't a traditional comedy; it's more of a sad morality tale told with some humour to keep it from becoming depressing. If you liked "Moscow Does not Believe in Tears", you may like this movie as well. Interesting to note is that the director was female (EDIT: Sorry folks, he's male. I assumed that the director was Russian, in which case a last name ending with "a" would signify a female).

Overall, I'd give it a 7/10. Westerners may want to watch this if they want to see a "typical" Soviet movie from the last half of the century. Most critics only notice the more "avant garde" movies of Soviet cinema like "Andrei Rublev" or "Battleship Potemkin", and that becomes people's impression of what Russian movies are like. This is for those who want to see a simple movie about a man's life that can be pretty much universal anywhere; there is no over-the-top patriotism or strangeness in this film and it's a good film regardless.

BTW, the Russian voices are better than the English voice-overs.

The Staple Melodramatic Comedy of the Brezhnev Era

[jnd02-1 · 10/10 · 17 March 2005]

As a student of Russian language and culture, one of my biggest pet peeves is the way people who lived during the Cold War talk about the Russian people and about Russian society. Most people have terrible misconceptions about Russian Society. One of the most interesting epochs of Soviet History is the Brezhnev Era. Some of Russia's most celebrated dramedies such as Rjazanov's "The Irony of Fate" were coming out at this time. If you want to get a small taste of what Russian Society was like (although it is impossible to fully understand what you don't live through), this is one of the best films you can find. In addition, it's quite witty and even belly laugh funny at times Andrei's neighbor and the Danish professor go mushroom picking. If you enjoy films, which perhaps don't focus on plot, but rather conduct deep character analyzes by portraying a series of events and their effect on the characters, then this is the film for you. It is actually slightly reminiscent of American comedies by Wes Anderson and Alexander Payne. ABSOL'JUTNO STOIT VAM SMOTRET' I KAK MOZHNO BYSTREE!!! NU CHTO ZH SIDITE-TO.. BEGOM!

Another genius film from genius director

[kostoprav · 10/10 · 1 March 2006]

Niffiwan from Toronto is not right (Interesting to note is that the director was female). The director is male and strong Caucasian macho with mustaches, born in Georgia. By the way Georgi is the name, like George. There is a rumor that heroes of his movies have latency homosexual complex but it is just a joke. But who knows? The film is pure genius. This is the story about soviet intellectual (not an average soviet man from Brezhnev's era), English to Russian interpreter, who read some lectures in some university. He live in a big apartment with many rooms - it is very unusual situation in Soviet Union for family with one child (the hero have one daughter). This is the symbol of privileged position for brain workers in Sovet Union society. But his work is silly and insignificant. He is in trouble with his slinky mistress (genius actress Marina Neelova), smart and understanding wife (also genius Natalya Gundareva, RIP), colleagues and so on. The problems are snowball running and his life is start to decline. This is not a comedy - this is a sad story that may be associated with brothers' Cohen movie "Fargo" or something like that. The quality of actors play is brilliant and absolutely realistic. I strongly recommended another Danelia astonishing film called "Kin-Dza-Dza" (strange adventures of mid-aged soviet foreman and his accidental fellow young Moscow student on another planet, kinda postapocaliptic totalitaristic Mad Max style world - the strong satire on all human civilization)

splendid comedy

[cinephil-5 · 10/10 · 3 September 1999]

This is a great comedy about what it means to have a weak character.

Outstanding is the performance of Yevgenij Leonov. Everybody should watch this film because there is a great lesson to learn about life.

Russian director Georgi Danelia shows in his film that being good is just not enough when one is a liar.

[FilmCriticLalitRao · 10/10 · 20 October 2013]

As a subjective concept 'goodness' is interpreted in various forms. However, it can be easily assessed if it is seen through the prism of 'actions' performed by people. Russian film Osenniy Marafon (Autumn Marathon) is a tragicomic tale wherein the concept of 'goodness' abounds through the portrayal of an English-Russian translator who would help anybody in need. His weakness is that he doesn't know how to refuse anybody who has come to seek help. However, there is more trouble in store for him due to his tendency to intentionally utter numerous false statements to both family members and colleagues. Russian director Georgi Danelia put himself in a creative quandary by making a film about a man who has too many negative qualities despite having a charming outer appearance. This is one reason why authorities who worked for the promotion of Russian cinema were reluctant to promote this film as it chose to depict a philandering liar who would cause immense grief to both his mistress as well as wife. Although the film's theme might appear a little outdated to contemporary viewers but it was an immense success during its release in late 1970s. This brings us to question why there was tremendous opposition to this film in official circles as adultery has always remained a recurring theme in Russian literature. It is not a secret that many duels were fought with loss of lives over extra marital affairs. Lastly Russian actors namely Oleg Bassilashvili, Natalya Gundareva and Marina Neyolova are credible in their respective roles as husband, wife and mistress who suffer immensely as a web of lies is woven around their erratic lives.

FilmCriticLalitRao and Lee Heisenberg you not right

[ishashyil · 6/10 · 3 April 2023]

And what kind of opposition to the film are you talking about at all? In 1981 he was awarded the Vasilyev Brothers State Prize of the RSFSR so that and his Awards San Sebastian Film Festival (1979) - the main prize Golden Shell and the FIPRESCI Prize Venice Film Festival (1979) - Italian Journalists Award for Best Actor (Eugene Leonov) and FIPRESCI Prize All-Union Film Festival in Dushanbe (1980) - the main prize Shamrousse International Comedy Film Festival (1980) - Grand Prize Berlin Film Festival (1980) - prize of the international evangelical jury - special recommendation (Forum program) IFF comedy films in Gabrov (1981) - special prize; State Prize of the RSFSR named after the Vasiliev brothers (1981) and and there was no need to invent any problems with Danelia's employment, the film was praised very much in the USSR.

Great comedy

[kendraschroeder-ks · 9/10 · 20 November 2014]

This film was a great watch. It was comical while still proving a point. It is a classic film about a man who is simply unhappy with his life who uses women to try to fill the void in his life. Throughout the course of the film, Andrey encounters many comical situations while trying to keep his double life a secret, and keep everyone involved in his web of lies happy. In the end however, he is still unhappy as is his wife and his lover. His unhappiness with his life and general confusion about what exactly he's looking for leads him unable to determine who he really wants to be with, and All parties are left unhappy with no real solution to the problem at hand. Overall, this film was a great watch. It kept my attention the entire time and I enjoyed watching it waiting to see what antics were going to occur next, or how the problem was going to be resolved.

Yes, a slice-of-life story from the Soviet Union.

[lee_eisenberg · 7/10 · 14 March 2006]

After "Osenniy marafon" (called "Autumn Marathon" in English) came out, director Georgi Daneliya couldn't get any work for about two years; the movie didn't conform to socialist realism in quite the way that the authorities wanted. It portrays Leningrad teacher Andrei Buzykin (Oleg Basilashvili), whose life seems to be going nowhere. His wife barely notices him, and the only thing really resembling joy is when his Danish friend asks him to go jogging every day. But things may be about to change.

The title may refer not only to the jogs with his friend, but the possibility that Oleg's life may be about to completely change (and how he may have to overcome certain obstacles). Maybe. And his friend sure had wild hair for a Danish person - I thought that Scandinavian people usually have very straight hair.

Now for a little joke. There ought to be a movie called "Autumn Marathon Man", in which a burnt out Russian teacher gets some unnecessary dental work.

Man Struggles with Juggling his Life Both Inside and Outside of the Office

[trond-174-729771 · 9/10 · 1 December 2014]

In this film, the main character, Andrey Buzykin (played by Oleg Basilashvili), finds himself struggling to manage his hectic work life and spending time with his wife, Nina (played by Natalya Gundareva), and mistress, Alla (played by Marina Neyolova). As an English to Russian translator, Andrey is not responsible for the creative material. He merely translates what others have already written. This, along with his inability to say "no" to his boss' requests, portrays him as a weak man, incapable of managing his own life.

Additionally, Andrey is an educated man living in a rather large apartment for the times, yet his life appears to be going nowhere. This only further solidifies idea of him being an inferior man. Similar to his job, his wife hardly notices him. Because of this, Andrey has found a mistress. With all of these people in his life, the main character struggles to please everybody.

This film, classified as a drama-comedy, is great, as it shows life in Leningrad during the Soviet Era. The man is a part of the intelligentsia, the educated middle class. Additionally, cultural references are present throughout the film and includes such items as mushroom picking and communal living.

Funny movie with an interesting start

[harrodesh · 7/10 · 9 December 2014]

I enjoyed watching the film. I wasn't quite sure what to expect. The film seemed to lack any action when I first watched it.

Initially, my thoughts were he was just a man trying to have it all. He was always willing to help people and wanted the most out of life. There seemed to be a lot going on in his life.

After discussing it with a few others, I realized how little he was in control of happenings.

Overall, It was a good film that held my interest throughout. There was a good amount of humor that I extracted from the film. I just wish there was a little more action. I was waiting for an interesting twist to come into light, but it just seemed like a normal guy doing somewhat unscrupulous things.

I would recommend this film if you want to kill time. It was pretty funny and semi engaging. It didn't have anything that was outstanding about it though.

A Man Torn Apart by His Own Compliance

[hammynuef · 5/10 · 22 November 2014]

Centered on a well-meaning Professor, Autumn Marathon shows the chaos that ensues when one cannot learn to say no to himself, and therefore to others around him. Professor Andrey Pavlovich Buzykin is manipulated by everyone around him, especially the women in his life. His mistress Alla is constantly pestering him about having children with her and leaving his wife, Nina. Nina is clearly well-aware that her husband is lying to her and most likely cheating, so she manipulates Andrey into feeling sorry for her by moping around the house and saying that no one needs her. His fellow writer Varvara uses him and adds to his web of lies as he helps her translate, which will cause her to take his place with the publishers. Basically, the whole film is sometimes painful to watch because Andrey's lies to his wife and mistress become more complicated with each scene. At the end, he seems to be peaceful when both women finally leave him, but at practically the same moment, his mistress calls and his wife comes back home. In the final scene of this dizzying chaos, Andrey hasn't learned his lesson and lies to his mistress that his wife has left and lies to his wife that he left his mistress. In my Russian Film class, we discussed how Andrey really isn't that bad of a guy and just wants to please everyone, but as a grown man, he should know better. Throughout the film, it is clear that his lies hurt everyone around him and make his current life almost impossible to keep up with. I wish the film would have ended with him starting anew, but alas, this ending is much more in line with the reality that the older we get, the less likely we are to change.

Multiplicity of the Movie Autumn Marathon

[sashakayes · 10/10 · 22 November 2014]

Autumn Marathon is a comedy that depicts the life of Andrey Buzykin, who belongs to the Soviet intelligentsia. He works as an instructor at the university and a translator; he also lives in a nice apartment. Moreover, Andrey has a wife, a daughter, a mistress, and friends. His life seems perfect; however, he does not enjoy it. He tries to please everyone by devoting his time to them and by agreeing to satisfy their requests. People, realizing that he is a conformist, manipulate him to achieve their goals. Buzykin, in his attempt to keep up with everything, does not have time to stop and think about his desires, nor can he figure out whether his wife or mistress is more important for him. It is humorous to watch how he is in a hurry and constantly lying, which makes his relationship with surrounding people more tangled; moreover, he is not able to resolve the situation.

Despite the fact that is it a comedy, this movie brings up vital issues about values in an individual's life. It makes one stop and think about the things that are significant for him/her. What is more, Autumn Marathon, through its satirical presentation, critiques conformity, for it makes life more complicated.

In addition, this film is interesting from a historical point of view as it represents life in USSR. It shows single-family and communal apartments, the metro, and the streets of Leningrad. It also depicts popular activities in the Soviet county: the culture of drinking vodka and mushroom picking.

A struggle to find happiness

[hmke32 · 8/10 · 3 December 2014]

In "Autumn Marathon" aka Osenniy Marafon, a romantic Russian comedy about a man who struggles with trying to make his wife, his mistress, his friends, and himself happy. Oleg Basilashvili aka. Andrey Pavlovich Buzykin is a literary translator who is cursed by irresolution and decency. Andrey has an affair which eventually leads both his mistress and his wife to leave him because they are tired of being unhappy. Although this movie was a little to long in telling this romantic comedy, the plot of the story is describe in great depth. The reader is able to follow along with the time line and follow what is happening between a man and these two women throughout the entire plot. Lastly, this comedy brings up vital issues about an individuals choices and the value of an individuals life. Life is very precious but at any moment, one can have everything and at another it can disappear with in a matter of minutes.

A man who cannot say "No"

[Torrevado · 1/10 · 2 April 2010]

Andrei is an irresponsible man, who cannot be counted on. He is constantly late, and doesn't inform others. He is not focused on his work nor his personal life. I don't judge him for cheating on his 4-5 women (if you can get away with it, it's not a crime), but he ends up hurting them. For not keeping promises nor knowing when to say "No" to boring next- door neighbors, he deserves everything that's coming to him.

Technically well made movie. Very good performances, the mood, music, cinematography are all there.

However, the plot is slow and tiresome. By 50 minutes I couldn't bring myself to continue watching, hence the 1 star rating.

Dry with sparse humor.

[gambaccini-j · 3/10 · 20 November 2014]

This movie is very slow to get going, so slow I could compare it to a turtle stuck in molasses. If there was an American movie I would compare it to, it would be "The Vow". I enjoyed neither. Both are about menial life issues. Everyone has these issues in their life. I don't watch movies to get more of my life's problems. I watch to escape reality and partake in an adventure. The main character aggravates me with his inability to stand for anything. It bothers me that he can not tell the truth. The back drops and scenes were designed very well. At times in the movie I would find myself not paying attention to the story and characters, but watching the back drop of the city, imagining if I lived there.