This feels like a Russian version of Benigni's "La Vita è bella". Just like that movie, it's a mix of both comedy and tragedy. However, it does not work just as well as it did in "La Vita è bella". Basically, it's an upward comedy, easy-going, happy. At the same time it's very sentimental. And it's actually the tragedy that I find is the best. Where the tragedy works, the comedy does not. It's simply not funny. I tried to look through that, and sometimes the combination works, but generally there are many meaningless and corny parts of the story that I think just flaws the entire work, for instance the ridiculous wood-cutting machine near the end. I think it should have been better of with a more gloomy style, though that apparently was not the director's intention. Yet worth watching, and very enjoyable. Pretty good acting, especially by Ormond, who's acting I didn't like at first, found it too modern American, but very convincing as the story went on. Also liked very much liked Anna Mikhalkova's character. Some good footage. Sentimental strings and Mozart for beginners.
3.5 / 5
3.5 / 5