Statskiy sovetnik

I've read the book "Statskiy sovetnik" before. When i heard the news that a movie is being made on that novel, i was wondering why THAT novel. I was curious how the director would manage to make a dynamic movie on a rather specific and long story. Especially knowing that the director is rather young and some sort of a beginner in making such "BIG" movies. But Filipp Yankovsky had really made it! By the way he is a son of a very famous Russian theater\movie actor - Oleg Yankovsky. Great dialogues and closeups. Famous Russian director - Nikita Mikhalkov, shows GREAT acting skills, playing Prince Pozharsky, sometimes even drawing most of attention from the main character - Fandorin. All characters surely showed their best in this great dynamic movie. Those who are interested in Russian history will certainly gain a lot of experience, because Akunin pays very much attention to all historical details. Great movie!

Statski sovetnik is interesting at least because the entire elite of Russian cinema starred here. And the original source is not weak, everyone knows Boris Ankunin. The story itself is simple. Menshikov and Mikhalkov look great, but most of all to watch the still young Konstantin Khabensky. The last series of 4 is somewhat delayed. But even she looks better than the previous 2 films in the trilogy. I don't even understand how so many beautiful actors fit into 1 mini-series.

Around the time that I watched Filipp Yankovsky's "Statskiy sovetnik" ("The State Counsellor" in English), I read Boris Akunin's "Altyn Tolobas", depicting Erast Fandorin's grandson. It's worth comparing and contrasting the stories, but the eras in which they take place. The stories featuring Erast Fandorin take place in czarist Russia, while the ones featuring Nicholas Fandorin (raised in England due to his mother having fled the 1917 revolution) take place after the Soviet Union broke up.

Anyway, in this movie we see Erast Fandorin trying to stop a revolutionary group from overthrowing the czar, but his dealings with Prince Pozharsky complicate things. Practically every character in the movie has something to hide. I wouldn't call it a masterpiece, but I like how they laid out the plot, and the casting was just right. Worth seeing.

When I've read my first book about Fandorin, I thought "Only Menshikov can play this". That is why since the moment I first heard that Menshikov WILL play Fandorin I was waiting for "Statskiy Sovetnik" to be released and was eager to watch it. And - finally! - my dream came true.

In the beginning I was a bit annoyed by the difference between the movie and the book, though I'm not the person who cares about such things. Then the movie captivated me and I became interested.

The actors' work was brilliant, I especially would like to mention Nikita Mikhalkov, whose portrayal of Pozharsky was absolutely flawless. Konstantin Khabenskiy and Oksana Fandera were very convincing too. The action was rather exciting - at least for me, because for some people long dialogues (or even monologues) can be quite boring. Not for me - I enjoyed every moment.

All in all, when I left the cinema, I was pleased with the movie. But some time later, recollecting the details, I found myself puzzled with the thought of Menshikov's performance. He looked good, he was an ideal Fandorin for me - at least his appearance was suitable - but I got an embarrassing feeling that I saw a ghost, a shadow of Erast Petrovich. It was lifeless, emotionless and insensible. What a disappointment! Fandorin is reserved and self-respecting, NOT nonchalant, haughty and bored of life.

In conclusion I can only say that this is my personal opinion and maybe I simply cannot see the main point of Menshikov's work... But I'm still upset with this Fandorin. I only hope that if there is another movie with Oleg Menshikov playing Erast Fandorin, THAT performance of this undoubtedly talented actor will be different - meaning more lively.

Befoure I watched the film I was a little disappointed by the reviews. Because such a great cast I expected everyone to sing psalms of the film.

Fortunatly the critics in my opinion were mostly wrong. Although Fandorin is shockingly cold the first time we see him, he becomes believable as the film progresses. Mashkov who played Kozyr' is simply amazing. His whole over the top-act, the slang is just so fun to watch. Khabenski does well, and Fandera, who plays Igla is wonderful, very believable. Emiliya Spivak is somewhat irritating, but is what she should have been according to the book. Though of course it is Nikita Mikhalkov who steals the show. A lot can be said about his intrigues at the Russian Film Guild, but he is without a doubt a great actor fit for specific roles. He is at his best when he plays a "Barin", as in "Bespridannica".

The action is quick, brutal and not flashy, even the sound of gunfire seems somewhat muffled. There isn't an awful lot of action since it is a Crime movie, not an action film. For some reason they didn't really pay attention to Masa, because he was far too young, and not round enough (according to the book he was "short and round like a barrel"). Green's character was somewhat downsized in the film too, with little background, like the facts that he was Jewish and his whole routine, so I felt that was missed out, because while Igla's motivation is present Green's is none existent. However unless you have read the book you wouldn't notice such nuances, and even if you have not you would not dwell on them.

The cinematography is very good, the way light and shadows are used makes some shots worthy of being posters, or photos.

So overall I would say that this movie was excellent despite some very minor imperfections.