Ulybka Boga, ili Chisto odesskaya istoriya

If you enjoy the Odessa humor the kind of self pity with bit of Jewish saddens in dead-end reality of the present days (in particular time, Soviet and post Soviet times) you are in for a treat. The film was shown as a part of Russian Film Festival in Chicago, before it came out in movie theaters in Moscow and other cities of former USSR. The film is full with nostalgia, good memories and elements of fairy tail. Being familiar with both cities Chicago and Odessa as well understanding the nature of Ex-Soviet Russian speaking immigrants in America and present and former Odessians ( Odessa Residents) I could say creators of the movie found and show really good depictions of main characters in a film. The cast of the film is excellent, seeing such talent of Soviet and Russian cinema as Armen Dzhijerhanyan, Roman Kartsev, Aleksanr Ponkratov-Cherniy and Stanislav Sadalsky as well as a new young actors was a real treat.

A young guy, in order not to lose the inheritance of his beloved grandfather, goes through his principles and desires. After all, it is the grandfather who is the key to a good life for both this young man and the family as a whole.

We are introduced to the main character, a young guy with family roots from Russia.

He lives well in America, plays sports, and has a relationship with a girl. But in order not to lose his inheritance, he drops everything and goes to his grandfather. And then fulfill his last wish.

Then we are introduced to the color of Odessa from different times. The hero meets a red-haired girl, they fall in love with each other at first sight. They don't need many reasons. The main character no longer values his relationship with a girl who stayed in America and was constantly worried about him as he went on a trip. But he's not up to it anymore, he's a hero and he has a new love.

Rethinking values and the Odessa girl is closer to his liking.

I don't even want to talk about catacombs, labyrinths and time travel.

The comedy is not bad, for once a quiet viewing. Of course, there are places for a smile, but I wouldn't say for a laugh.