Cuidado com o Carro

Russian film "Watch Out for the Automobile" is about the role of cars in people's lives. It was made at a time when it was not possible for everybody to afford cars. This is one reason why dishonest people were able to buy cars without great difficulty. It is in such an unethical climate that this film's hero decides to steal cars which acquired through illegal money. Director Eldar Ryazanov has directed his film in such a manner that viewers get the feeling that there is nothing extraordinary about this car thief and the cars stolen by him. This effect is created by portraying the hero as an ordinary man who has nothing to do with crime. The film begins with tightly constructed scenes of a heavily guarded car being stolen.This leads viewers to ask what would really happen when the thief is not recognized by other people ? On his part,the car thief is able to fulfill his wishes as he wants to make a wise use of money for poor people. Apart from drama about incidents of car theft,genuine comedy can also be found in form of comical situations witnessed during a Shakespearean play's rehearsal by the hero and his nemesis.Lastly,this film's moral message is conveyed immediately after a truly mind boggling car chase sequence.

"Beregis avtomobilya" in Russian means "look out for the car". It seems that the title actually implies that cars become sort of a metaphor for our lives. The protagonist Detochkin (his surname implies "child" in Russian) is an insurance agent who steals cars from thieves and gives the money to charity. But then there's a surprise.

What I mean about the title as a metaphor for our lives. Some people put all their money into their cars; they're complete losers, but at least they have cool cars. Moreover, it's often said that a person is his/her own worst enemy. In this sense, the danger to Detochkin posed by the average vehicle is nothing compared to what his own actions can do.

Anyway, this is a pretty funny movie, a look at the Soviet Union in the mid-'60s. We even get to hear an American song in one scene! I suspect that they had fun making the movie. Worth seeing.

The absence of reviews here prompts me to say a few words. I saw this in a cinema in Moscow in 1966 [despite date above], a popular film there at the time. I couldn't follow all the dialogue at the time, but I recall being struck by the believability and humanity of the whole thing. Russian public were right on the side of the anti-hero, though he was no swashbuckler and the ending is dispassionate. This was still during the time of the Soviet thaw, and Moscow was heaving with American tourists. Life was better for Russians and things were looking up. The old gallant Soviet war heros had become less interesting, and the time was right for someone more complex, surfacing, perhaps, from the rich literary tradition. A perfect Geroi nasha vremeno - my theory anyway. I'd just like to see it again before giving it a rating!

Beware of the Automobile. What would a Russian say when you mentioned it in front of him? I'm a Russian myself and I know. When someone mentions the movie's name, the other person would go babbling on about the storyline, every single detail from start to end. He would imitate highly enjoyed moments in the highly enjoyed film. He would repeat memorable quotes (which sound funnier in Russian). And he would go asking everyone if they knew interesting facts about the interesting film.

With non-Russians, however... well, to be honest I don't know. I have this movie on VHS in Russian and I never showed to an English speaking person before, but I think that even some non-Russian people will be fascinated by this film. I certainly am. I watch this movie whenever I get the chance. And I always love it, no matter how many times I've watched it.

The director, Eldar Ryazanov is a highly-loved Russian director and has directed a lot of classical Russian films, not one which I don't like. Go Ryazanov! Go Beware of the Automobile! Go whoever watched this film! Go whoever enjoyed it! Rating: 10/10

It's a really accomplished movie with LOTS of technical screenplay and classic action chases and great drama sequences.

The acting is humble and sound. The lead protagonist is a car thief who steals cars for the good. Not to harm but to provide for the kids. He is apologetic and a classic Gentleman.

He is chased by his best friend who happens to be a cop and his co-star. There is many times when the cop has to question his idealologies and it pans out so beautifully in this moive.

This movie is also a rare chance to see Russia in the 1960's and how they have German lager and have not been graced by the style of swinging sixties' London.

It's a Russian noir movie and it is really well-acted and choreographed and the plot is excellent. The narrative is great. Innokentiy Smoktunovskiy's (the lead actor) own background memoirs are excellent credentials for a movie.

Excellent acting from Innokentiy Smoktunovskiy; Oleg Efremov; Georgi Zhzhyonov (who survived 18 years in prison under Starlin; maybe a movie about him?) and Olga Aroseva amongst others.

Great film with inspiration from early American cinema and slapstick Chaplin and crime drama novels. 8/10.