Russkies

My review was written in July 1987 at a pre-release screening on Manhattan's UWS.

"Russkies" wears its heart on its sleeve, obviously intended to be a fable for youngsters to educate them to a message of universal brotherhood and tolerance. Unfortunately, this carbon copy of Norman Jewison's 1966 United Artists hit "The Russians Are Coming, the Russians are Coming" is ineptly handled and laughable, with a very weak cast in place of the original's heady lineup of farceurs. Aggressively themed throughout its running time to July 4th celebration atmosphere, pic faces tough sledding in it unwisely delayed until November release berth.

Handsome blond Whip Hubley portrays Mischa Pushkin (his name engenders one of the script's few laughs), a Soviet sailor washed ashore in Key West, Florida, when a submarine's landing party (to pick up military secrets being sold by traitor Leo Rossi) gets caught in a storm. THree gun-ho, junior Rambos (Leaf Phoenix, Peter Billingsley and Stefan DeSalle) reluctantly take him under their wing when they quickly realize a flesh-and-blood Russian soldier does not conform to their comic books' image of an evil enemy. In fact he akes an ideal playmate as hey buy him clothes and chaperone him around town.

Of course, Hubley falls in love at first sight (and the feeling is mutual) with Billingsley's olderl sister Susan Walters, but the adult world is only interested in tracking down (or shooting down) this nice-guy alien, especially when his two nasty crewmates show up, bent on stealing U. S. military secrets and kidnapping the yourng heroes for protection.

To be fair, though pic's plot outline is virtually idenitcal to that of the Jewison film Iwhich was based on Nathaniel Benchley's novel "The Off-Landers"), "Russkies" is probably not a ripoff, but rather a case of reinventing the wheel. Update unwisely emphasizes the underlying propaganda aspercts of the piece, with director Rick Rosenthal frequently drawing the action to a halt for extended monologs by Hubley or others to drive home the too-obvious plea for understanding.

Windup even has the young trio, after everything has been sorted out, reading "War and Peace" instead of their "Sgt. Slammer" comic books, a Classic Comix version of Tolstoy would have been more believable.

Precocious Billingsley easily dominates the film while his confreres Phoenix and DeSalle are, respectively, woloden and earnest. Walters is a dish tolook at, but her dreamy-eyed acting is poor. Supporting cast is quite bland, as songstress Carole King stands around blankly as Phoenix' mother, and yet another oddly named member of the Phoenix clan, cute Dummer Phoenix pops up, natch, as Phoenix' little sister.

Hubley treies hard in his bloated lead role, yet another script miscalculation since his similary styled prototype, Joh Phillip Law, had the advantage of playing straight to an hilarious group of comedians including Alan Arkin, Jonathan Winters and Paul Ford. This time, an audience has only Hubley, insufferablel kids or paper-thin adult stereotypes to choose from and it's no fun.

Tech credits are well done, though the Key West atmosphere, layed on with a trowel, is irrlevant to the theme other than location's proximity to Cuba.

Cold War silliness with a group of American boys befriending a Russian sailor that has washed ashore in Florida and learning "they" aren't that different from "us," after all. Cue the eye rolling. Most notable today for being the first starring role for Joaquin Phoenix (billed as Leaf Phoenix back then). He's kind of annoying in this, honestly, but a lot of that is the clichéd way the character is written as a gung-ho anti-commie cartoon. Peter Billingsley is another of the kids. A few years prior he would have been top-billed but, alas, the plight of the aging child star. Whip Hubley (who?) plays the Russian and he's pretty much awful. He does have a nice head of hair, though. I've noticed a lot of remarks here seem up-in-arms about the "homo" insult and other things along those lines that weren't forbidden back then. So if you're someone who is prone to getting the vapors every time you hear something that offends your delicate sensibilities, you might not want to watch this.

This is the story of a Russian submarine that runs aground off USA. When a Russian sailor named Mischa Pushkin(Whip Hubley)is accidentally lost, he's stranded in Key West and is desperately looking for help. Then three American kids(Leaf Phoenix,Billingsley , DeSalle) capture him and befriend . A memorable set of silly events follow to hide the seaman and scheme a journey towards island of Cuba. Meanwhile he falls in love with the kid's sister(Susan Walters).

In this film you'll find funny moments, simple humor, peace-loving, good feeling though some moment is a little boring. The enjoyable relationship between the three kids influenced by comic-books and young mariner helps build a mountain of laughters, plus the Russian's panic where the fun chiefly lies. The picture bears certain resemblance to ¨Russians are coming, Russians are coming¨- 1966, by Norman Jewison with Alan Arkin and Eva Maria Saint- though in lesser budget and lack lustre. Sympathetic main role for Joaquin Phoenix, before named Leaf, previously his recent successful acting from 2000s as ¨Signs, Gladiator,Buffalo Soldiers,Quills, The Yards¨, he was a child prodigy, such as he proved in ¨Parenthood, Spacecamp¨and of course ¨Russkies¨. Besides appear as supporting cast some relatively known secondaries actors as Leo Rossi, Patrick Kirkpatrick and Al White. Catching soundtrack and dated songs with synthesizer musical score by today prestigious James Newton Howard. This jolly and agreeable motion picture is professionally directed by Rick Rosenthal.

I remember seeing this movie when it first came out in the theaters--the L.A. Times gave it a favorable review and it sounded kind of fun. It was.

It's dated now ('80s clothes, '80s politics), but it's an amusing, somewhat corny little movie that will entertain and amuse. I thought that the interaction between the three boys and "their" Russian sailor seemed genuine, and I liked the premise. The scenes where the boys have a "day out" with their new (Russian) buddy are especially fun to watch.

Whip Hubley is cute and likable as the stranded Russian (but, oh, that big '80s hair cut he's got!). Leaf Phoenix (now known as Joaquin) is excellent as one of the boys. (I recall how the L.A. Times review took special note of Phoenix's performance, and predicted that he had a great future ahead of him. Boy, were they right!) Also take note of Benjamin Hendrickson (playing Phoenix's Hungarian father who has no love for Russians). Hendrickson is mostly known for soap opera work, but he has an effective supporting role in this film.

This is a little movie with some laughs and a good heart. It's not a *great* film, but still enjoyable. James Newton Howard (still early in his career when this movie was made) does a good job with the score. I even bought the soundtrack (on LP at the time) and it is enjoyable to listen to on its own!

"Russkies" is basically a sweet movie. I'm not a sappy person, and it almost made me cry. (I had a huge lump in my throat.) There is just something about seeing people care for each other that really makes me happy. And "Russkies" gives me a warm feeling. The chemistry between the actors is incredible. What's even more amazing that three of them were young and quite inexperienced. Although its plot isn't very realistic, it's okay, because the meaning of it is not lost. And I think the whole point behind this little movie is that - this is gonna sound incredibly cheesy - friendship knows no boundary or age difference. That last scene between Danny (Joaquin/Leaf Phoenix) and Misha (Whip Hubley) had me in near tears. And one thing Misha said really hit home. I don't remember the exact words, but he said people don't trust each other. I think it's very true.

I bought this tape mainly to see Joaquin as a little kid. I know he's an awesome actor but I didn't know he was already awesome as a child. Those eyes, even at such a young age, can speak volumes. Joaquin/Leaf gave a truly great performance as Danny, and so did the other two kids whose names have escaped my ailing memory. I know nothing about Whip Hubley, and when the tape ended I thought he really is a Russian. Good performances all around, even from Summer Phoenix who wasn't in it a lot and that actress who played the blond boy's sister whom I usually can't stand.

All in all, "Russkies" is worth watching.