Daun Haus

Down House offers a 'modern' reinterpretation of Fyodor Dostoevsky's "The Idiot," set in Russia at the turn of the millennium. This film successfully captures the absurd atmosphere of the era while retaining the core message of one of the greatest novel of all time.

It feels like a collision between Dostoevsky's "The Idiot" and Chekhov's "Ward No. 6," imbued with a blend of self-irony and profound sadness. It sends the message that to live in Russia, one must be mentally ill and yet kind, intelligent, sarcastic, and pure - loving it and hating it simultaneously, tormented by it, and finding peace in it.

It reveals the main point of Russia - an internal conflict, which makes some people great and some so very shallow.

Being a big fan of Dostoyevsky, I'm very picky on any attempts to represent any of his writings, whether on stage or screen. Anyway, I've seen four movies based on 'Idiot'. First one is classical Soviet with Yakovlev as Count Myshkin, second - Russian TV series of early 2000s, starring E. Mironov, third - Akira Kurosawa's view. Last, but not the least - 'Down House'.

Funny thing is, this movie contains more of Dostoyevsky' spirit than any other. It's fun, it's more like 'Fear and Loathing' or 'Acid House', - but still it has an 'Idiot' inside. Great acting (don't expect any Hollywood style), hilarious plot twists and the very feeling of success transferring XIX century book to XXI century reality...

I do like this movie.

It's mad and cranky; style of humor is a bit English. Main line and idea was taken from novel by Dostoevsky but this is mostly improvisation not just a movie shot after the book. It's deep philosophical and groovy at the time; you may see this movie like something easy-watching or like a movie that you will think about.

I can also said that this is quite black movie, sometimes it is too spiteful (at least for me). But at the same time this movie is about love.

So I think that this is highly recommended movie for every philosophical person in the world.

And I am giving it clear 10 of 10.