Wonderful Movie

Why so much hype?

Too much of everything

Exactly the movie you think it is, but not the movie you want it to be.

The movie is about a few feeble male representatives of our former "intelligentsia" class. They are teachers or engineers, I presume. Together they get a load of alcohol just before the New Year's Day. They drink almost until depart. Their brains refuse to work correctly (of course) and they become complete jerks, pushing one wretched and stunned fellow into the airport and sending him to another city, which happens to be the second capital of our country (or is it the first?). There the drunk fellow (who looks and behaves like a complete loser through the whole film) comes to the wrong flat, as if to his own home. A pretty woman (must be a teacher) soon appears and talking, smoking, and singing are to follow (with a bit of arguing and good old love-triangle thing).The essence of this movie is non-existent. There is no style. The atmosphere is very awkward - it is really painful to watch the scenes with a beautiful woman worrying about such a nerd. Besides, things like drinking and smoking are presented as absolutely normal to human nature. A woman (a teacher?) sitting and smoking, with a vacant look in her sick eyes - this should be a poster for this blue movie. Well, what else to say? Oh yes, on top of all mentioned, the movie is too long.And don't miss the point: Christmas and New Year's Day (the 1st of January) are very different holidays. No wonder that the characters of this movie look like jerks: they celebrate the European New Year's day till their eyes roll out. What will be left for Christmas, the 7th of January? Dust and bones apparently. It can be a very good point of the film. But I don't think it was done to underline that. It was done to underline emptiness.If you want to kill time in a most suicidal and sadistic manner, go for this empty drag. Nothing personal. But if you want to see real Russian characters, colourful, rich, strong, and charismatic, go for "Vesyolye rebyata", "Kin-Dza-Dza", "Solyaris", and "Ostrov".2 out of 10, with "1 out of 10" reserved for the sequel. Thank you for attention.

as watching this movie has become a tradition each new year in Latvia (ex soviet country) i have seen it a lot of times and enjoyed each time. i think that this movie gives a wonderful time while watching and really amazes with the sense of humor. The title is more than perfect for this movie! Another thing that amazes me is the way how the system of Soviet Union is shoved. All the situations are unpredictable.. and one can really enjoy the characters and the way how they solute their problems.. i really think that people who will watch it, will enjoy it. of course the quality might not be as good as nowadays, but respect- this movie is more than 25 years old! so- go on folks- and watch it!

This is a great film.First of all it's a great story that combines elements of subtle satire, romance, and at times laugh-outloud comedy into a farcical love triangle. Second is the great acting. Andrei Myagkov simply delivers a character who undergoes significant, yet somehow believable transformation from a shy, nerdy young doctor to a bold, at times arrogant, yet at the same time romantic man. A great comic performance by Yuri Yakovlev, as the jealous fiance of the heroine, alone makes the film worth watching, to the last moments.The 3rd element is the music and poetry. The songs are an important part of narration, not just there for a backdrop. The song lyrics and the poetry are by some of the most prominent Russian poets of the Silver Age and are just plain beautiful. In short this an amazing film, one of those that can be watched over and over.Finally, if you don't speak Russian, check this film on DVD(NTSC). I recently got it and was very impressed by the quality of translation offered by the subtitles, which provide translation of the songs as well as the dialogue.

I've been told that this film is shown every New Year's Eve in Russia, and there is no doubt why. It is exquisitely romantic, appropriately funny and symbolizes the best of Russia. It's sentimentally touches a heart string in everyone and its seeming lack of reality only makes it more realistic. With a fantastic soundtrack and some beautiful poetry, you truly have not seen a good film until you have seen this. I could watch it again and again and.....