Gruz 200

It's like a bad dream. You want to turn it off but you cannot. No matter how much you are dissapointed in humankind or cynical you always have some hopes left in you. This movie will bring you to the limit. Nothing exists beyond that. The worst part is you don't realize you're watching a movie, it's so real.

Balabanov's films are always aggressive. This one is a prominent dramatic film about the last years of the Soviet Union. Of course, many people say it is a horrible movie. Yes it is, but c'est la vie, our life is horrible and it is snobbish to argue with it. It is like a cold shower. The soundtrack is excellent, the actors are good enough, and the views of a decaying town are dreadfully beautiful. You really must see this movie if you still think our ex-country was a cool place to live. One of the best Balabanov's films. It is much better than 'Of Freaks and Men' because here the shocking effect is made not just to make people feel bad but to understand our rotten reality. Russian films become better and better

Yes, this is a shocking movie but a good one. People, especially abroad, need to see films like this, to get a picture of the horrors that took place in the SSSR and try understand the dark side of the human nature. Similar things, if not worse, are happening all over the place but at least Alexey Balabanov had the guts to talk about it in an explicit and honest manner. I, personally, think of this film as a very disturbing documentary which can also provide study material for sociologists, psychologists, psychiatrists but also people in positions of power (politicians mainly) who are mostly responsible for horrors of the modern society. Also, movies aren't just Hollywood and why not talk about real life for a change. It's time people opened up their eyes and their minds, too. I did find the music, although highly acclaimed by the critics and well liked by its fans, a little irritating. I do however understand its role in the movie so that's why I voted 9. Well done the actors, and well done Mr Balabanov!

It is a film about the death of totalitarianism in separately taken country. Year 1984, the life gloom of the Soviet power was condensed to the limit... Those who lived in USSR may cry when watching it. It is so cruel and at the same time so true. Every single part of you will tremble in the watching process. It is inspired from real facts, won't let anybody indifferent, I mean for those who knows at least something about the cinematography... Roles are played perfectly, just how it was meant to be played. People with weak heart and people that loves American Pie series, skip it, you won't like it anyway. For the rest, what can I say, you HAVE to see this movie. 9 out of 10

Out of so many garbage russian cinema titles we saw the past two decades, this one is not trash and is outstanding. Not just because of a shock value, but the true-like depiction of Soviet Union in 1980s, good script and ok actors. Hell, this movie captivated me to the end. It's worth it.