The very case when reality trumps any fantasy.
I am a long-standing and ardent fan of the work of Alexander Vertinsky. Therefore, as soon as I found out that they finally decided to make a film about him, I began to look forward to the release of it on the screen.
I liked the series and, at the same time, somewhat disappointed me.
Of course, to make a film about such an ambiguous, deep, extraordinary, large-scale in many respects, personality is certainly a strong and bold decision.
The life of Alexander Vertinsky - a great artist, adventurer, a real icon of impeccable style and taste, a man of the highest nobility and true aristocracy, was shown from different sides, but it turned out to be quite straightforward and quite, I would say, sweet.
Internal doubts, experiences, throwing, hopes and despair, although perfectly played by actor Alexei Filimonov, remained, as if a little, behind the scenes. And the story of his life was shown, though ornate, but somewhat smoothed, without natural roughness and irregularities, as it actually happens. The depths of human falls and heights of spirit, inherent in each of us and, accordingly, the main character, remained illumined not too brightly and voluminously.
I didn’t like the introduction of fictional characters, generalized by the writer’s imagination, although they were played very well, especially Konstantin Ageev. And the mysterious figure of Burkovskaya, appearing here and there, in the course of the action, intriguing, but also discouraging. It seems to me that the lives of real people, friends and enemies of Vertinsky, would be much more interesting, contradictory and relevant than those presented. If there is little information about this or they were not enough, then it would not be worth inventing it - they look introduced, do not fit into the framework of the life of the main character, in my opinion.
It is completely unclear why the scene with the guillotine was invented and, in general, much in Vertinsky’s relationship with his first wife. By itself, this story is much more complex and intricate than the film depicts, and certainly deserves closer scrutiny. . .
Otherwise, the atmosphere, the costumes, the very spirit of the Silver Age, in my opinion, are conveyed accurately and figuratively. Without fear and inappropriate censorship and, at the same time, without grotesque and unnecessary details, for which I am grateful to the authors of the series.
The great talent of Alexei Filimonov was revealed to me for the first time - bravo! I was very worried that no one would really get into this role. He did. He did it so naturally, so casually, so easily, so filigreely. It was very pleasant to watch, nothing caused internal rejection or protest.
All the other actors were very good in their characters. I would like to especially note the excellent work of actors Sergei Umanov and Gennady Smirnov. I remember the brilliant role of Victoria Isakova and the very skillful work of Ekaterina Vilkova. Ksenia Rappoport played her very difficult role very subtly, intelligently and gracefully, for which she is especially grateful. The acting work of Anna Mikhalkova, Alena Babenko, Paulina Andreeva and, especially, Anna Mishina raise some questions, but I think that the demands of the director were more influential here than their own implantation in the images.
Overall, the film was successful.
Thank you.
I'm glad.
8 out of 10
Original