Recently, I watched a wonderful Soviet painting “Glass of Water”. I read reviews here, with many absolutely agree that this picture somehow undeservedly remained in the shadow of other famous films of those times. The more I think about it, the more I understand why. There are no actions that have an effect. Fights, kidnappings and other bright attributes of the adventure genre. For example, in our D Artagnan and the Three Musketeers or in the French Angelique. The film mentions a duel, but the duel itself is not shown. It seems to be a fact on the basis of which further important events in the picture unfold.
Rather, the dominant are the games of reason, political and love intrigue, but so veiled and subtly weaved that you unwittingly follow all the vicissitudes of the main characters, as if you yourself are present nearby and are an unwitting witness to those events.
In the film, two main themes are the political line and love relationships. Of course, I've read a lot about historical inconsistencies in dates and events. But the film does not claim chronological correctness. No need to compare it to a history textbook. Here is a kind of fantasy about the relationship and actions of historical figures. What would have happened to them if you thought it might be true? . .
I want to express my admiration for two political opponents: Lady Marlborough and Lord Bollingbroke, wonderfully played by our actors Alla Demidova and Kirill Lavrov. Just enjoy their dive and sharp, like burning spices, dialogue. Igor Dmitriev, although his role is not very large, but significant, also admires his noble posture and aristocracy. Even Queen Anna, played by the not-so-loved Natalia Belokhvostikova, is pale, reserved, and very convincing in her sadness. “How boring it is to be a queen,” she exclaims, having no right to show ardent and enthusiastic feelings for the object of her dreams.
The love triangle in the film is also interesting because the main handsome Arthur Mesham does not even suspect what strong and extraordinary women are fighting for the right to be with him. He's brave, he's handsome, but he's not very smart, or, let's say, he's too naive to know what's going on. I have no idea what he would do if he knew the truth. He's pretty conceited.
But he is in love with his Abigail and happy in his ignorance.
Her personality in the film, in these strange twists and turns, is also very important. She is a loyal ally of her patron, Lord Bollingbroke. Human and decent in a relationship (remember at least the story of a Bonbonier in a jewelry store with an unknown lady), subtle and intelligent enough to understand how she should act in a particular critical situation. Engaged in a difficult love fight, she herself ceases to be a naive innocent girl and becomes a worthy opponent to her two majestic rivals, deftly twisting the situation in her favor at the most culminating moment in the history of the Queen’s date with her lover.
In the picture “Glass of Water” other heroes are perfectly displayed. Even the court queens, Lord Bollingbroke and Lady Marlborough involuntarily attract attention with their remarks, although their roles are insignificant. There is nothing superfluous about the film.
Costumes and dresses, in my opinion, are on top. I especially liked the Duchess’ outfits, in black, with silver finishes, shades. My only claim to the design of the hall is the green French curtains in the assembly, which eerily darken the space and create additional gloom where there is already a cheerful atmosphere. But this is my curtain designer, please forgive me for my liberties in assessing the interior.
I would like to end my review with my gratitude, as a viewer, to the filmmakers: director Yuri Karasik for the skillful transfer of E. Scrib’s play to the screen, to the wonderful Soviet artists who so talentedly portrayed their heroes in the film. Believe them to the end.
The film “Glass of Water” is always in my piggy bank of the best and favorite domestic films, which I review with great pleasure.
Made in USSR I have read so many reviews about this film. But probably the fans are elderly people, ignorant of history and never left the USSR. Because in Karasikovo & #39; Glass & #39; I personally didn't see any Queen Anne, no Duchess of Marlborough - no English at all! Typical Soviet physiognomy and mannerisms. The Duchess is a nasty bitch-secretary of the director of the Moscow meat factory, there is absolutely nothing aristocratic and English in her. The Queen is some kind of Snow Maiden. The guy can't play at all. The list of historical mistakes in the film is huge (I will not list it, you can see it above, but the main thing is that neither the architecture, costumes, nor the atmosphere correspond to the era). Why do Soviet cinema, and for company - and a little-known playwright Scribe forgive this? Gray, tight, not funny. With ' The Favourite' did not compare, because I did not watch and I am not going to, but if you compare with the British TV series ' First Churchill' (1969!!!!), you can immediately see the difference in the quality of the script and acting. And not in favor of the Soviet film. Nostalgia for childhood/youth is the enemy of all objectivity, comrades! 6 out of 10 Original
Exemplary Soviet historical television performance, or How "The Glass of Water" beats "The Favourite"
"Glass of Water" is one of a series of television performances that appeared on Soviet screens in the last 15-20 years of the USSR. They had much in common: the action took place in other historical eras, or abroad ("Seek a woman), and both were shown with nostalgia for the "crunch of the French bun" and with maximum detachment from the real problems of Soviet life. From today’s perspective, such television performances (and their widespread popularity, with no criticism at all) look like one of the symptoms of the crisis that eventually led to the destruction of the country.
It is as a representative of the “genre” that Yulia Karasika’s film is exemplary – not in the sense of “masterpiece” (although it is impossible to deny the artistic merits of “The Glass of Water”), but in the sense of artistic style. In this respect, it is interesting to compare it with Yorgos Lanthimos’s The Favorite, where the same characters are active in the same historical era (England, early 18th century). In The Favourite, the past is shown in a completely different way, without any idealization.
But it is in the comparison of “Stack of Water” with “The Favourite” that modern cinema has degraded. I will not touch on the script - it is rather the merit of Scribe's play; although the classical dramaturgical structure itself, with pronounced antagonists and protagonists, favorably distinguishes The Glass of Water. Another plus is the presence of sane male characters (in "The Favourite" they are all either idiots, or bastards, or both combined).
But let's move on. Yuli Karasik is an ordinary Soviet mid-level director. In any case, he was not a regular of world festivals, and no one recognized as a “modern classic” – like Yorgos Lanthimos.
However, the "Glass of Water" is set at a good pace, the action never sags (than "The Favourite" - alas! - is no different).
The acting game, and in general the entire structure of the characters is built on classical models. All actors slightly overplay (on the one hand - the peculiarities of the genre, on the other - the peculiarity of Soviet cinema in general), but this "replay" is not as pronounced as Zakharov, and in general is perceived as a kind of flashback. Actors (Alla Demidova, Kirill Lavrov, Natalia Belokhvostikova) in general play according to the pattern, which again was typical for all Soviet television performances. However, this pattern looks no worse than the actors of “The Favourite” noted many prizes. But then this level was perceived as the most common thing!
Even in minor elements like music and scenery, The Glass of Water looks a lot better. Karasik did not have the possibility of staging in real palaces of England with a total reconstruction of the situation of the past; therefore, he concentrated on showing the past through his heroes as convincingly as possible. Therefore, the viewer throughout the film does not have any question about the realism of 18th-century England (starred in the suburbs of Leningrad), nor about the reality of historical characters. There are no questions about Yuri Saulsky, who, perhaps, did not recreate the music in the then accepted style, but created such melodies that are completely in harmony with the action.
Once again, if you just watch The Glass of Water, this is the most common Soviet TV show, which was not considered a super masterpiece either then or now. I mean, just a good movie. But when you compare this “just a good film” with “modern classics”, where the same country, the same characters and in many ways – the same episodes, and you see how “just a good film” scores it on all articles.
What then to put a glass of water, if the typical score of "Favorite" on "Kinopoisk" - 10 out of 10?
How many years have passed and the film remains one of my favorites. I revisited it once again after watching Lanthimos' The Favourite. The era and the scene are the same, the characters are the same – it was very interesting to understand what impression, after a more historically correct presentation of facts, more realistic-looking characters, chic costumes and entourage, this film will make on me. And “The Glass of Water” once again did not disappoint, although I watched it with a biased look. Yes, Soviet decorators and costume artists of the 80s can not compare with the British-American possibilities from the 2010s, but you cease to pay attention to the surroundings after 10 minutes of watching, you are completely fascinated by acting. How great looks Kirill Lavrov in the role of Bolingbroke, inimitable Alla Demidova in the role of Duchess of Marlborough, unhappy Queen Anna performed by Natalia Belokhvostikova, naive and pure Abigail Churchill, whose role was played by Svetlana Smirnova. And you completely forget that they differ in appearance from historical prototypes, the main thing is the openwork of intrigue weaving, human emotions and the triumph of justice (as far as the final events can be called).
I once again plunged into the atmosphere familiar to me since childhood and from the height of what I have lived I can say - they were able to remove from the shower in the USSR, when the poverty of the scenery fades into the background due to filigree acting, competently built mise-en-scene and scrupulous display of light.
In order not to read about the inconsistencies with historical facts in this film, I already knew it for a long time, but politics, love, character characters do not leave indifferent in this film and years later.
9 out of 10
I am very sorry for some films that are completely undeservedly ignored. Yes, of course, “Glass of Water” directed by Yuri Karasik is just an adaptation of the play by Eugene Scrib in the television version. This work does not carry something conceptually important, just a historical novel, but the play of actors and in general an entertaining plot had to compensate for all other costs.
The English history of the early 18th century, palace intrigues, pitfalls make the film even more serious, because we are in front of most of the real faces, and the play itself is one of the historical versions of what could well have been. Let Skrib a bunch of inaccuracies and anachronisms, but such suffered absolutely all the works of that time, and the current even more. These games of historians are meaningless and endless, only the classics, recognized for centuries, are eternal.
Natalia Belokhvostikova turned out to be a much more attractive Queen Anna, you can compare her with the original, but the longings of the poor ruler in her performance are more than convincing. The actor to whom I am completely indifferent, Kirill Lavrov, here in the typical role of statesman Lord Bolinbrok, his dubious moral character in the plot, however, can be written off for a while. But in conjunction with the brilliant Alla Demidova, he looks quite worthy.
The Duchess of Marlborough, played by Alla Demidova, is the main driving force, she sets the tone for this film, The Glass of Water, thanks to her efforts, has become majestic and witty. On the eve of the 82nd anniversary of Alla Sergeevna, I want to congratulate her for nothing. The tragic facial expression of another main character, Abigail from the Tomwood jewelry store (Svetlana Smirnova), complements Demidova’s efficiency, and the music of Saulsky completes the picture. Igor Dmitriev got the obscure role of the French envoy, he is not to blame. And in general, here, as in most unusual Soviet films, a lot of familiar faces.
Yuri Karasik, as I understand it, wrote the original script himself, which sometimes shines with references to Russia and some downright brilliant inserts. For example, the "Secular Chronicle". The count, who has been in a state of alcoholic intoxication for 8 years, staged a fight in the theater, in which gentlemen from the first rows of the stalls and actors took part.
I don’t know how it works, but every time I write a review of a movie like this, I go and watch it. Good luck watching you too, if you want. For fans of serious cinema, the film may seem just a love story with distorted historical characters, and for those who want an easy spectacle – too boring. But it could be exactly the opposite.
The Glass of Water is one of those magnificent Soviet TV shows that undeservedly remain in the shadows. The film adaptation of the play of the little-known Eugene Scrib, it is devoted to an even less well-known topic - the British court of the early XVIII century, the era of Queen Anne and the War of the Spanish Succession. Although in fact with the real events of the time, this witty and elegant comedy, of course, has little in common.
In the plot of "Stack of water" intertwined several themes: love, betrayal, purely political intrigue. The withering Queen Anne retires, the court is ruled by the “iron lady” of that time Sarah Churchill, the wife of the same Duke of Marlborough, and the cunning Lord Bolingbroke tries to get rid of her dictatorship. His tool is a young couple – officer Arthur Masham and Abigail Churchill, a noblewoman from a good but impoverished family.
Since the Soviet directors did not have the opportunity to show the British court in all its glory, the most important task fell on the shoulders of the actors. And they did brilliantly, of course. Kirill Lavrov and Alla Demidova turn the confrontation between Bolingbrok and the Duchess of Marlborough into a fight much more exciting than any blockbuster. Natalia Belokhvostikova is very convincing in the role of a weak-willed queen, and Svetlana Smirnova is simply young and beautiful. The only weak link I would call, perhaps, Peteris Gaudins; but the ladies may have a different opinion.
I highly recommend Glass of Water to anyone who likes good productions on a historical theme, paying more attention not to costumes and scenery, but to the spirit of the times. This is really an outstanding picture, which is interesting to watch and spoiled by British costume dramas to the viewer.
Scrub is one of my favorite playwrights, and The Glass of Water is one of his best plays. But there was a performance of the Maly Theatre, in which Bolingbrok played Teeth. It was so bright that Lavrov failed to rise to the same level, and the image faded. That's why I put 9. But Demidova in this film exactly in her place: even outwardly she looks like court English portraits. It pleased Belokhvostikova in the role of Queen. Mannerful, narcissistic, narrow-minded woman who found herself on the throne and by the will of fate endowed with power. I think it’s impossible to play this character better. Scrub is brilliant, witty, easy. When you want to cheer yourself up, you watch these movies. Bookstore shelves are broken under the weight of volumes, a lot of philosophical and psychological literature, poetry, tabloid novels are published, but ... it is extremely difficult to find books on drama. I barely bought a book of Skrib's plays, leaving a bid at a bookstore. He was incredibly prolific, but in Russia most of his works were never translated. This is why we get to know this author through the movie. And I really want to recommend to everyone who loves humor and intrigue, to see this film and this play.
9 out of 10
Against the background of modern TV series like “Borgia”, intrigue in the Soviet film about the English court look unusually cute.
England. Early eighteenth century. Queen Anne, the first state lady and a girl in the lower class unexpectedly fall in love with a young officer. Another actor is opposition leader Henry St. John, played by Kirill Lavrov.
The film is extraordinarily simple. You don’t have to work hard to understand the interests of all parties. Ladies in love betray their principles more often than they accept audiences, while the country is at war. She still seems to be watched half-eyed by Sir Henry, who playfully, I will not be afraid of this word, breeds both the Queen and her advisers, promoting their interests and using some “distraction” of women’s hearts.
Such a story looks a little strange when the first people of the state are drawn into it, from whom you expect at least some prudence. But no, they dismiss it, and that's what the comedic component of the picture is built on. Sometimes the queen wants to grab her cheeks and say: "Well, you're pretty!"
In the end, I can say that the film is about court intrigues, but at the same time simple, naive, cute and funny. It leaves a very positive impression.