We can't live normally. I accidentally came across this film in one of the public about this era. I must say that I respect the genre of social drama, especially the Soviet period of 1985-1993. But this film, a film of the same age, struck me to the core. In fact, it is a prediction film, a premonition of the coming Time of Troubles. I cannot say that there is anti-Soviet, it is rather a reaction to what is happening at that time. Everything in order.
The war in Afghanistan. For some reason, everyone believes that the film must necessarily be about fighting and almost no one showed life after the war. Only in "Nog" and in this film reflects the grief of a mother who lost her son, the grief of the family, the grief of friends and a brother killed by the news of his death in that war. A terrible scene with a wake, when watching which it is impossible to hold back tears. When I saw this movie, I almost physically felt that hopelessness. You can put 10 points in one episode.
The fate of the intelligentsia. The Union is still alive, but it is bursting at the seams and spreading like a patchwork blanket. Scientists and other MNFs still receive their 140 rubles a month, but more prestigious positions have already appeared in the relevant organizations, where the salary is several times higher. Dialogue with a student should be included in the annals of domestic cinema. Here we see Soviet people, but with completely different thinking – a friend believes that it is necessary to work where they are paid, which in the light of the gradual impoverishment of the population seems reasonable, if not vital. Glargeroy disagrees with him, preferring black work to profits and profit. A true intellectual who does not want to "bend under the changing world." Strangely enough, he can be called a Soviet man, because he thinks from the point of view of the benefit of society and society. He does not understand what is happening and where everything is going, does not accept the changes taking place. He just wants to live like a human being, work honestly and benefit society. Especially remembered the phrase “again fight!” as a protest against vulgarization of your favorite business to primitive earning money. With his skills and knowledge, he would have already provided himself with all the benefits (electronic engineer), but he is sad and afraid that his qualifications are not needed by anyone (" they will again be asked to fix irons). And now the viewer watches the film and realizes that all the worst awaits him. We can only guess what his fate will be.
The situation in the country. Perhaps this is the only film that reflected the atmosphere of the “five-year lush funeral” and the subsequent squabbling for power. The country burys one elderly leader after another, coffins of guys are flowing into the Union, Talkov sings still alive, the queues are getting longer every day. The TV plays mourning marches, while in the backyards of shops there is a shortage of nomenclature - future figures of crime and oligarchy. What is pleasing, this is one of the rare films that showed the state of society before the collapse of the State Emergency Committee and the subsequent general disappointment - with the arrival of Gorbachev and criticism of bureaucrats, nothing in essence changed - only goods disappeared completely, the clutter about high matters could not replace decision-making on pressing issues. "Boris, you're wrong," recriminations and scolding in parliament, and complete dissension over the solution of the most pressing problems. Meanwhile, people are busy surviving and gradually but steadily slipping into poverty. It is obvious that the Glavger is an idealist, a man of honor, an intellectual, and not an opportunist who does not care from whose plump hands to receive packs of then Soviet rubles. This is evidenced by the episode with the “seaman abroad”. Aversion to vulgarity, hedonism and trying to buy everything. The society is divided and is going through another crisis – this is seen in the scene with the unsuccessful attempt of the camp to expose the powerful. What happened there is a harbinger of future lawlessness and the right of the strong.
- Life is like life, scumbags have been and will always be like you.
- Fools, huh?
Here is an unexpected "hello" from 1990 to Yuri Bykov.
The love line. Yeah, yeah, imagine, and it's there. Oh, what a mess! On one side of Rome, a naive and kind Soviet girl, very similar to Frosya from The Girls. Caring, cheerful and sweet, she is in love with her Felix with pure and immaculate love. On the other hand, there is Katya, who got into a difficult life situation, a limiter who has nowhere to live. Cynical, sly and disappointed in everything and everyone, she is also on the verge of survival. Here lies another conflict, a severe crisis of family and human relations. I’ve watched the movie three times and still can’t understand why I chose Katya instead of Rima. I was amazed by this choice and what followed. Apparently, it reflects the same kinship of restless souls: spiritual loneliness, lack of understanding how to live further, unwillingness to live according to imposed rules. But it's still too little because Rima and Felix were made for each other!
Actors. Filigree-wise. It is impossible to imagine their roles being played by someone else. Pankratov-Black in the role of a cynical sailor with money, Rimma Latypov in the role of Rima, Lena Starostin in the role of limits, Valery Barinov in the role of father... A gorgeous galaxy of Soviet actors gathered in a wonderful film. Special thanks to Nikita Vysotsky who brilliantly played the episodic role of a former classmate. In his face was represented no less broad stratum of the intelligentsia — if you pay, it means to work and not think about anything else. Before this film, I was not familiar with the work of Rimma Latypova, but she coped with this role by 10 out of 10. It’s a shame she didn’t do that much, but in this movie and 3 others she was on top. The actress is characteristic and very beautiful, she wonderfully played one of the main characters. Shine in the eyes, transmitted even on mediocre film, charming smile, femininity - all this adds to the masterpiece of films and partly refers to Soviet films of the 60s.
Result. This film is a serious reflection on our past, present and future. It’s terrifying that the director managed to cram such a broad era into the film’s 88 minutes. And made everything weighty and visible, organic and authentic to the era. If anyone wants to watch this social drama - I highly recommend - you will not regret it. Despite everything, the film leaves good impressions and a kind of bright sadness about the fate of the Motherland. Shamshurin was able to make a film about time without blackness, vulgarity, anger and the desire to spit into the past. The film was completely undeservedly forgotten in the turmoil of that troubled time. I would also recommend it to schoolchildren and everyone interested in the history of the country and society.
10 out of 10