Voditel dlya Very

"The Driver for Vera" is simply excellent cinematography. The pace and intensity of this two-hour film is such that you don't notice passage of time. It's like dozing off and waking up from an intense dream where for a few seconds you don't know who you are or where you are. If a regular Hollywood production is like leisurely afternoon tea with some sweets, this film is like taking shots of espresso every minute for two hours. In the first few seconds the movie grabs your attention, your emotions, your very soul, and holds that grip until the very finale (in my case, it's been about 24 hours since I watched the film and I am still under the grip). The background scenery (Moscow and Sevastopol of the early 1960's) is spectacular and the music is extremely powerful. In the geopolitical background there is the power struggle between the figures of the police, the army, and the special services, a struggle that ensued in the power void after Stalin's death. Career, ambition, love, sex, power, violence, birth and death are a devilish mix in the film's shockingly realistic story line.

One of the best Russian movies of the new era, it has nothing to envy to any American thriller. Good reconstruction of the times,early 60's, which is not an easy thing, viewing that in many American period movies there is a perfect reconstruction of the set, scenery, furniture, interiors,clothes, but the actors often fail to reproduce the speech, the gesture, the attitude of the times. Also a romantic story perfectly told, paced, credible, with to people you can figure out being together and falling in love, again differently from the Anglo-Saxon movies, where I find it difficult to understand the chemistry, physical and emotional , between two people romantically involved. Worth the money and time, not a masterpiece but a very close one to that name.

This is the best movie I've seen over years. I am not sure if it's available on DVD in English, but if it is - don't even hesitate a minute! Everything is perfect about this movie, the cinematography, the music, and most importantly the drama that builds up with the very first seconds.... The tension that builds up is immense and holds you until the very last second. There are so many layers in this movie... The human tragedy and ocean of emotions, love and hatred that unfolds on the screen and all the fabula is ruled by the powers that are not even present. Maybe I am too sentimental, but I was touched so deeply many times during the movie that I felt tears in my eyes several times during it.

I saw this movie three days ago and still keep on thinking about it...

In my opinion this movie definitely should be released by Criterion and will go straight into 250 best movies of all time.

In my opinion it is unquestionably in top twenty. Truly, truly a masterpiece!

I have been to crimea so the setting alone grabbed my attention. Beautifully filmed and acted. I rarely watch movies in one sitting but this one kept me viewing to the very end.

It was a very Russian film in every way and that is the secret to enjoying it. It is a pity that under Putin Russia has become the last place that anyone would want to visit.

The movie is somber, make no mistake, so be sure to have a hanky handy. Bright moments do sprout out on occasions--but they soon will be tangled and forgotten, as the movie further delves us into a place of a waning of era with disillusioned characters.

The players are all trap in their own roles with conflicts, decisions taken only within their power--never for convenience, never for whims. Maybe the telltale sign of the government, or some poetic semblance, whichever--the result is a masterpiece effusively tragic, and beautifully shot.

Communist era, as depicted in the movie--was just at its zenith before the regression.

The story declines in a way as to match at best of the country's stages of travails. We were able to delve into the politicking, and its deadly nature were scapegoats are wrought, and lives are paid.

The film evokes these panoramic moments, and tableau's. Longshots, marking out as those of stageplays, or out of Koreeda's Maborosi. Later these scenes, for instance the Cliffside--comes back, and reestablishes itself with a rendered darker atmosphere, as the film progress, or regress if you like.

I won't go much in debt with the characters--but I believe they're well fleshed out. And that purports well with performance--especially Vera...

Sigh, makes me sad just thinking about her.

Regardless. I'm much excited for the director/writer's next project. Thief was a narrative spectacle wrapped in a simple allegory--this on the other hand was well executed, and well fleshed out.

I hope it'll be available in the U.S. soon, for such a rare film as this deserves exposure to all, if not the world.

Might I add it's a memorable movie? Verily.