Arrhythmia

Oleg's life as an emergency medical technician is fraught with trouble and tribulation; hostility to treatments, toxic complaining, serious threats and pointless, relentless stress. Such concerns merely involve Oleg's boss. Patients are trouble too. They include violent drunks, hypochondriacs, religious freaks who refuse treatment and more. Clueless administrators add counterproductive procedures, the menace of layoffs, humiliating assignments and the focus on profits over people. On top of this, Oleg tortures himself with serious bouts of drinking and depression. Of course, nothing in life is more important than your lover. Katya, Oleg's wife, is demanding a divorce for both real and imagined slights. It is hard to tell when Oleg is in or out of the ambulance. He faces key decisions about what or who is most important to him.

Arrhythmia provides a captivating glimpse into the ups and downs of being a Russian EMT. Hand-held cameras further emphasize the erratic nature of this work, and Oleg's relationships and inner turmoil. Scene settings are mostly inside the city, yet on at least one occasion a beautiful birch forest becomes the background. The actors are capable and believable. Arrhythmia is well organized and riveting. Seen at the Toronto International Film Festival.

Although I am British I have lived and worked in Russia many years and truly appreciate how accurate this film is, and unlike many rather soulful depressing movies that Russia often produces this is a warm, touching drama with wonderful nuanced performances by fine actors.

The two stars, Irina Gorbachova (absolutely radiant) and Aleksandr Yatsenko (such a superb actor) are perfect as are the rest of the cast (I loved Nikolay Shrayber as a slightly resigned but cheerful companion).

It also gives an insight into the life of an Ambulance Doctor... itself very interesting.

Recommended!

It is really difficult to create/discern an interesting microcosmos, nuanced, touching and realistic characters and an intensive story. But this movie does all this.

Maybe, because, like many Estern Europeans, I see the Russian films as inspired translations of reality in the image on screen. Maybe because the Russian realities are familiar for entire East Europe. Because this film is a realistic portrait of near reality, from the burocratic system against care for the other, from the fight for save the life of patients against almost empty or chaotic personal life. Story of a paramedic iin war against him, the film gives not an expected message or a precise lesson but it represents an useful and touching confession about people, love and the impossibility to be the other. A profound touching film. About naked reality and its people.

Failed results? What have you guys watched? I felt that every minute of this film was carefully planned and cleverly done. original, natural acting, a magnificent piece of work. Feelings, passions, beautifully expressed. This movie is a Masterpiece by all accounts!