On “perestroika” and “pseudo-dissidents” This is one of the last films of Mikhail Schweitzer, the famous Soviet film director, and he was interesting to me for one simple reason: what could the master say to the viewer in those years when all the prohibitions were lifted and the pricer ordered to live long?
The film is a remarkable gallery of images of perestroika pseudo-heroes who play a leading role in shaping public opinion: TV journalist, literary critic, artist, emigrant. During the years of “stagnation”, they were close to dissident circles, but did not go on stage or to a psychiatric hospital, but cooperated with the KGB. These roles were brilliantly played by E. Evstigneev, V. Zolotukhin, B. Klyuev. The image of the former KGB colonel (N. Pastukhov) – who were here, as you know, does not happen. Central is the figure of the “new Russian” businessman who served time for his commercial machinations in Soviet times and spread his wings now, trying to outplay the colonel who imprisoned him once. This is the role of Alexander Kalyagin, played magnificently - charming, juicy, with humor.
Less successful seems to be the use of the image of Alexander Galich, whose song became the starting point of the plot, and also gave the title to the film. There are weaker actors and questionable plot moves. But the satirical side of the picture and the dynamic development of the plot overlap its shortcomings.
7 out of 10