Taxi Blues

"Taxi Blues" is a raw and gritty film that really captures the struggles of everyday life in a big city in 90's Russia. The story revolves around a gritty conservative taxi driver and a struggling musician with more "modern" values, showcasing their unlikely friendship amidst personal hardships. The gritty cinematography and the realistic dialogue hit home, making you feel the weight of their challenges. The performances are honest and powerful, especially the chemistry between the two leads. It's not just a story about unlikely friendships. It dives deep into themes of hope, dreams, and the realities of that era in Russian history.

It's a very good character-driven narrative that blends humor with melancholy and very deep characters. It felt very Dostoevsky-esque, despite being set in a completely different time period.

A post Perestroika film like "Taksi-Blyuz" must be viewed in the context of Russia after 1990s.It is a landmark film in the history of Russian cinema.It speaks about an independent Russian state which might be a little difficult for some non Russian people to understand.It must be mentioned that it is not all an American Taxi Driver.The core issues of this film are masculinity,music and patriotism but still our hero grapples with numerous emotional conflicts.In today's modern day Russia,I am sure that so much has changed ever since it was created in 1990.The taxi is old in this film and decline of Russia is becoming a sore sight for natives as well as foreigners.There are many black markets where everything can be purchased.One such street vendor sells old stuff such as a saxophone,some old clothes. This is a short story of oppressed and oppressor.This film is not for you if you are expecting to watch a modern day Russia."Taksi-Blyuz" is not a film about poverty but about all factors known for making people come to terms with poverty.Pavel Lungin has made his film with a tinge of sadness.It is a nice thing that women have a minor presence as most of them lack strong will power."Taksi-Blyuz" is a true perestroika film to be admired for its inherent Russianness.

This film is more deeper thats you can imagine. This film is about 2 Russian souls, two tragical souls in the 1980xx( at the end of soviet union). This men are the parallel to the soviet - both are tragical, needs new oxygen, new energy to survive!

I think that only Russians can understand that cinema, its very hard to see this film, if you are not living in Russia. Unreal playing by actors, amazing Vladimir Cherkasin soundtracks

If you like this film, you can see all the films with Petr Mamonov or films by Pavel Lungin.

I think that this film is more than 10/10

*Please note: This review discusses many key events of the film, including the end. Do not read if you have not seen the movie!!!

Taxi Blues is a film about control. It isn't, however, as simple as it initially seems. At the film's conclusion, the audience is left to ask, "Who's really controlling whom?"

At the beginning of this film, Chlykov has complete control of his life. He manages his cab, and his side job of selling alcohol, with an iron fist and the facial expression to match. He is the master of his domain and no one in his or her right mind would dare to question his authority in any way.

The problem is that Lyosha is not in his right mind. His life is careening out of control and he has one priority. Alcohol. From the minute that he requests his first bottle from Chlykov, their lives become irrevocably entangled. In the beginning, it is very clear where the power lies. As the film continues, however, it becomes harder and harder to tell who is controlling whom. Although he does not seem to realize it, Chlykov's life begins to revolve around the very man he seeks to reform. As a result, aspects of his own life start to slip from his control.

For example, when Lyosha begins to seduce his girlfriend, Chlykov, in a desperate attempt to prove his authority, smashes Lyosha's saxophone and then engages Christina in an aggressive sexual act against her will. For those few minutes, Chlykov is free of his self-induced commitment to Lyosha. However, his freedom is short-lived. A few minutes later the phone rings and he is soon back at the jail to meet Lyosha, once again putting his own life on hold.

By the end of the film, the roles have reversed. Lyosha gets his life together, at least temporarily, and is on top of the world as a beloved, world-renowned musician. Chlykov's life, however, is reminiscent of Lyosha's at the beginning of the film. He severs connections with his girlfriend, his friends and his once structured existence. It is no coincidence that in the last scenes of the film, Chlykov is in a speeding car, spinning wildly out of control.

Pyotr Mamonov is one of the brightest representatives of Soviet new wave music scene. He is both rock musician, poet,performer and well-known actor. Here he plays a sax player, who is leading a life of alcochol addict and looser, who is begging for money playing drunk in the streets of Moscow. Ivan is an opposite character- He is hard-working taxi driver, who pays respect to laws and social rules. When he meats Selivestrov (Mamonov) he dislikes him a lot. Selivestrov is spending all money on vodka and tries to cheat a taxi driver, escaping to pay for taxist's work. But Ivvan finds a looser sax player and tries to teach him be honest, hard-working and successful in life. It is very hard for Selivyostrov to start new life, but he manages to do it in the end and becomes world famous star. Great score by legendary free jazz Vladimir Chekasin, perfect acting, best views on Perestroika times and a lot of good humor one can see here Highly recommended for those who are exploring Russian underground music scene of 80s.

www.myspace.com/neizvestnostlab