mshenga

Helicopter pilot from Georgia (the one in the former Soviet Union) goes to Moscow hoping to become an international pilot. There he befriends a guy from Armenia (near Georgia, but not the same!), runs out of money, finds himself in jail, etc. The movie plays out lots of funny differences between Russian (read - European) and Georgian (more Eastern) cultures, provincial vs. big city, and others. And as a golden thread throughout the whole movie - kindness, decency and warm hearts of the heroes. This play on cultural differences evoke "My Big Fat Greek Wedding", which was made thirty years after "Mimino"...

I am not sure if this movie has ever been subtitled in English, but I am sure it would be a delight to American viewers.

One of the best examples of genius of Russian movie making. The songs are enchanting, the jokes are instant soundbites, acting is wonderful, the plot is captivating, without any fluff. Great movie not only for children, but for the adults as well.

Or you will hate it, if you don't catch its wave. As for me, it stirred me up to the bottom of my soul. Good test: if you didn't like "A.I.", don't bother going.

In some movies knowing the plot ahead of time spoils everything. Here enjoying the movie without knowing the plot ahead of time would be a serious impediment (I was lucky to have red Stanislav Lev story beforehand). I can imagine myself watching this movie over and over, and definitely plan to buy it on DVD when it is out.

This movie made me think what is real in life and what is not, what is of value in life and what is not, what is a true life, what does it mean to be human, if there is anything after death - then what, what is God, etc. The multitude of themes subtly collide at the unusual angles under the surface of the seemingly slowly developing movie, which makes it difficult to get into. But if you will get into it, you may end up thinking about it - and about values in your life - for a long time, finding source of strength and inspiration.

Most people in the theater hated it. I think it is one of the movie you hate the 1st time around and love more and more with each consequent time. The tempo, presentation, polyphony of the plot - everything is so unusual, that the ideas of the movie may go "under the radar screens" when you watch it the 1st time around