Interesting, instructive and true Vanechka’s film reflects a time of change, a difficult era in Russian history. The script on which the film was shot, in rather plausible detail reveals all the problems of that difficult period. In total, I have seen the film three times, the last one just recently. I must say that over time you begin a famous quote about the fact that “the big one is seen at a distance” to apply to this picture. For it is really large-scale, and the quality of the roles played is above all praise.
Andrey Panin is not that much striking in this picture, at the time when he starred in Vanechka he already had a decent track record and this work he only confirmed and consolidated his enviable place among Russian actors. You believe in him, you empathize with him, and that is the most important thing. I believe that even some shortcomings in the script or director’s work can be leveled with good acting.
No less interesting looks next to Panin at that time novice actress — Velikanova. The image of the actress was also difficult, but she coped with it.
The film is powerful not only because it shows us a difficult historical time, but also because it reveals universal problems, asks eternal questions about good and evil, pushes the viewer to endless questions about what is good and what is bad.
Good acting and competent directing put the viewer involuntarily in the place of the hero Panin, then the heroine Velikanova, and the viewer begins to think about how he would act if he were in the place of a young girl with a pure heart, eager to love and be loved, or in the place of a wisely experienced, but not devoid of romance and adventurism businessman.
It is definitely worth a look.
10 out of 10