Interesting layers of themes are touched upon in the film by A. Dolguzov, filmed on the play “Classmates” by Yuri Polyakov.
Here are closely intertwined themes of friendship and betrayal, rivalry, the country’s relationship to veterans (the scene with an inappropriate gift is blasphemous, but very typical...). Hidden pain in everyone present: except for Father Michael, all the others are not much different from the disabled Vanya, although physically healthy. Each is a cripple in his own way, overcoming emptiness or shame, undisguised by grief or passing life for free. . .
There are a lot of pauses for regular solitude in such a close company of 7 people, too often classmates spend time in a room where a veteran has retired from the noise. . .
Some characters are exaggerated, cardboard, which is supported by the same cardboard game.
Here is the eternally suffering ex-award-winner with the haunted look of a bunny, for some reason poisonously bullying a person whom she asked for help, then screaming not with her voice in someone else's apartment. With these secrets, trampling on the living and "I wanted the best."
Preoccupied with her template appearance, spawning breast laughter and sexual languid breaths (to the place and not so much) beauty queen, who also needs money.
An Australian businessman who doesn't seem to bother with 'let's talk co-operation' while drinking.
An alcoholic poet who never read a single thing in the whole movie. . .
Lots of pauses, lots of weird hitches. . .
More or less integral characters are spelled out in the game of actors A. Tkachenko (here is a diverse so diverse: even to be silent, sitting still, knows more expressive than many play!) and “Father Michael” Alan Dolguzov.
The finale, of course, too magical, hard to believe. . .
Despite the shortcomings, the film is quite watchable and instructive.
7 out of 10