Nochnye zabavy

"Night Fun" - a tv film by Vladimir Krasnopolskiy and Valeriy Uskov, scripted by Victor and Anna Merezhko. A chamber comedy of situations with an unpredictable ending, where the main characters, wife, her husband, and her lover, her daughter and an occasional guest - saxophonist were locked in the apartment like fish in an aquarium. One of the best roles of Evgeniy Evstigneev.

A flat in central Moscow. A family photo in the living room: Dad, Mum and grown-up Daughter. All seems well. This particular evening, Mum is eager to see daughter off with her boyfriend, and insists on her spending the night at friend´s. Soon, we learn why. Mum has a lover, who is none other than Dad´s boss. The boss regularly sends Dad away on trips, so we can have a lovely time with Mum. We later learn that the whole family benefits materially from this liaison, knowingly or unknowingly.

While away at a party, the daughter is betrayed by her lover, and decides to change her plans return home. Upon returning, she realises Mum is home with another man, and thus feels doubly betrayed. Growing despondent, she agrees to invite home a total stranger who´s called her by chance as a joke. She believes she has an opportunity to save her father´s honour and to teach her mother a lesson. They all end up in a closed flat. The whole film lasts just a night, but what a night! It is to change some destinies for ever.

At first, it feels like some kind of light comedy, as in the kind that makes you laugh out loud at times. But we soon realise that there is something much better and deeper going on: a terrific analysis of love, betrayal, guilt, human weaknesses and strengths, loneliness, etc.

The acting is superlative by all 5 main actors, but especially by Evgeni Evstigneev in what was to be his last big role.

All in all, a very recommendable film. The film is good as whole, but the last 15 or 20 minutes are absolutely fabulous.