 |
A funny but all too true film to not also be a bit sad. Vladamir (Robin Williams) and his friend Anatoly (Elya Baskin) both work with the Moscow circus. Vlad is a saxophone player in the orchestra, and Anatoly is a clown. Things are pretty bad in Russia; the cold war has made even the most basic of needs a challenge. There are lines for blocks for things like toilet paper, shoes, bread, meat, and practically all other basics, not to mention the constant struggle with corruption at every level. Still, Vladamir isn't too unhappy. He has a girlfriend and his family and he enjoys his work. Anatoly, on the other hand is unhappy and desperately wants to defect during an upcoming state-sponsored trip of the circus to New York City. He plans to defect during a 30 minute visit to Bloomingdale's where he will be surrounded by Americans, while on their way to the airport to return to Russia. The trip goes as scheduled and all is set when the bus pulls up to Bloomingdale's department store. As they all enter the store, Anatoly loses his nerve and doesn't try to escape, but in a moment of courage, Vladomir runs from the KGB men and hides behind the cosmetics counter where he meets a beautiful saleswoman, Maria Conchita Alonso. With her help and the help of a Bloomy's security guard, he announces his decision to defect and ask for political status in America. The KGB men desperately beg him to reconsider (to save their own buts), but he defiantly tells them in front of hundreds of American civilians, "I defect!" With the help of the black security guard, Maria, and a lawyer, Vladomir begins the arduous task of becoming a political refugee in America. After many lousy jobs and lots of learning about life, Vladomir learns that freedom isn't all that easy, and he desperately misses his family. From time to time he regrets his decision, but never forgets that his choice was the only choice to make. This is a heartfelt and serious film, even though there is comedy, there is a great lesson for all Americans to learn again; some for the first time. Good movie with many good performances.Read full review
While Robin Williams has portrayed many characters throughout his career, the saxaphone playing Russian, Vladamir Ivanoff is one of his best. You can feel the sudden burst of wonderment and freedom so many of us will never know being born into its arms.I felt this movie was a short example of how many people from other countries are caught up in the decadence of New York City and the superficial lifestyle its new arrivals think is a shinning example of America. Many of my friends had never seen nor heard of this movie. Thay are all now big fans. Some movies are just timeless.
I have passed this on to other who, amazingly, have never seen or heard of it. They loved it!! I watched this decades ago, off and on since. I find it to be a thoroughly wonderful film. How it is possible it won no awards still blows my mind. Perhaps the prevailing hatred of Russians in the 80s did not allow it to be liked. Here is a copy/paste quote from a co-worker I loaned it to. "The coffee scene, for as short as it was, was incredibly well done. Showing off a stark contrast between Moscow in the opening, where everyone is getting into line after line to get basic staples vs New York, where long aisles showcase vast quantities and varieties of even the simplest of things (like coffee), and conveying it so perfectly, while still being funny. Even better, was the short, easily missed quote, where he asked the cashier where's the coffee line (a reference back to Moscow's bread lines). And Maria Alonso was drop-dead gorgeous in 1984. A real stunner. My favorite scene was the Diner, where he meets the other Russian who was already living in NY for several years. A little humor, but it gave way to the heart of the movie's plot and it was well done. " Even the heatless will be touch at the diner scene. A great movie to watch every July 4thRead full review
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: New
You get a good sense of range from nearly every character . The story centers around hardship and chaos while the actors portray warmth , brotherhood and love for ones country. Also there are some tastefully sexy moments
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
Didn’t like the beginning too much but then it got to be better. Too much subtitles in the beginning. A little risqué scene in the bathtub.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: New
Current slide {CURRENT_SLIDE} of {TOTAL_SLIDES}- Best Selling in DVDs & Blu-ray Discs
Current slide {CURRENT_SLIDE} of {TOTAL_SLIDES}- Save on DVDs & Blu-ray Discs
Current slide {CURRENT_SLIDE} of {TOTAL_SLIDES}- You may also like
