Zhmurki

This is one of those hate it or love it movies. I personally love this film.For one the dialogue is witty, moronic and amazing at the same time. The acting is nicely done, the soundtrack is amazing as usual. All in all, the life of crime during the 90's in provincial Russia is accurately portrayed.The action scenes are great and plentiful so its easy to pay attention. Not like its trying to deliver a philosophical message. The plot is very simple and the characters are memorable.If however,you are a sensitive viewer, stay away. There is a generous amount of graphic violence, torture, politically incorrect ideas and mild language. If you are a cynic or a Russian angry at the government of the time and this kind of material brings back bad memories, the black humour in this film will not be to your liking, so pass this one up. But if your are looking for a fun way to spend a little less than two hours, don't mind some blood and have an open mind, give this a try.

I've been reading the previous authors' comments... and couldn't but help laughing.

This movie was never intended to be serious. It is nothing more than a parody on all the previously shot Russian "gang" movies ("Bumer," "Brat," "Brigada," etc.) - same as the "Scary Movies" have always been made as parodies on everything else that the Hollywood had churned out around the same time. I am amazed that nobody seemed to catch that. And, oh yes, this is why the 50 liters of blood were absolutely necessary! Given this, the movie was fun. But it does NOT portray any reality. The kid-like looking criminals (especially the smaller one) do not even closely resemble the real "bratva," and 15 head shots in one day have never been a norm in Russia, not even in the early 90's. The mafia boss (Nikita Mikhalkov) in his maroon jacket is a perfect portrayal of the Russian anecdote character of "noviy russkiy," but you have to understand that it is not much more than a folklore character. Hardly any real "new russians" ever looked like that in reality.

Makovetskiy ("Koron") and his two gang-members (especially the dumb one) look absolutely nothing like a real hit-man gang. Sukachyov ("Brain") is completely overdoing his role of a "vor v zakone," so that, once again, the viewer does not forget that it is all a parody.

The "Doctor"'s drug-lab set-up in the beginning of the movie is a replica of a typical comic book-style "bad scientist" set-up.

I could go on... but I don't see the need. Just take this movie for what it is... and enjoy!

I really love this film. Actually i'm Russian so i see a lot of new Russian movies - and most of them are not very good (softly to say). But this film was like a blast for me ! It's one of my favorites - and here are some reasons. At first it's really funny - but it's special kind of humor - for people who lived in Perestroyka's time. At second almost all actors play as good as it possible - Dyuzhev,Panin,Mikhalkov,Serebryakov and other - it's best Russian actors from old and new Russian acter's school ! I can speak long time about this film - my offer - better watch it - you will love it if you like good Russian films :)

This movie is not a fictitious brainwash like "Reservoir Dogs" or "Pulp Fiction" (personally got nothing against both these entertaining titles but they are made for fun) - it's more like a history lesson, more like "Tora! Tora! Tora!". It would be so funny, if it were not so tragic. It is one of a very few modern Russian films, which deserve respect and consideration. Don't let the bloody scenes distract your attention from the essential ideas. "Nightmare, bloody festival, ridiculous mess-up..."? No way. It's our reality. Get a load, if you can carry.

A little boy's visit to the morgue and his father's words at the very beginning of the movie are priceless.

9 out of 10 easily (minus 1 point, because it's a very "national" experience, which, foreigners will not be able to grasp and evaluate properly). Thank you for attention.

Zhmurki is an excellent black crime comedy from Alexei Balabanov. In general, when you watch Zhmurki, you see the style of Guy Ritchie's first films, only with the charm of the 90s of Russia. The film is clearly not for everyone, and it is very different from the fact that Balabanov shot.