Obyknovennoe chudo

This is one of the best masterpieces of world cinema, despite the extreme simplicity of both the plot and the simplicity of the effects inside the film. The plot takes place in just a few rooms and is essentially a theatrical production.

Little known outside the Russian cultural space, it is easy to watch with the current development of new digital means of automatic translation.

Although based on a trivial story, the development of the plot is captivating. Excellent multi-level humor, which can be understood better in adulthood - having watched it at 10, 25 and 40 years old, different levels of subtext are revealed and the film is understood in a new way.

Although not necessary, knowledge of the Russian language will help to understand the beauty of the play on words and musical compositions.

The only reason that I'm ranking it 9 instead of 10 is that fact that it's... not actually a movie.

It's based on a theatre play, directed by a theatre director, and it shows in everything: the dialogue, the set, the scenes, the costumes, the actors often talking and looking directly at the audience... However, if you're willing to disregard that little detail and instead watch it as a recorded theatre play, it's an absolutely breathtaking experience.

The movie is based on the play of the same name by Evgenyi Shvartz, one of the most significant Russian The story is painfully simple: two young people fall in love, even though they cannot be together. The literal magic and the magic of being human twist together to make a beautiful plot about love out of this world. People born in the Soviet Union know the iconic songs and quotes from this movie by heart. The cast is stellar, although a few of them are first and foremost theatre actors, which, again, shows.

Based on a play by Yevgeniy Shwartz, one of the best Russian playwrights of the 20th century, made by one of the best directors of the Soviet epoch with an unprecedented all-stars cast, this movie has instantly become a classic of Russian cinema and theatre alike. Critics may point out various flaws in it, still it is indispensable for anyone who is out to understand Russian culture a bit more, or just for anyone, I might add.

Everything is right in this classic film. The music is gorgeous, the acting superb and the color photography entrancing. Add to this the direction of the great Mark Zakharov and you can't miss. A magician (Yankovsky) changes a bear into a handsome youth (Abdulov). This spell will be broken ONLY if the young man meets, falls in love with and is kissed by a princess. If that does happen the man will revert back to being a bear FOREVER!!!!! And at the 25 minute mark of a film over two hours long the princess meets the youth.

To me this is the second greatest Russian film and can be viewed again and again. You will love it!

An Ordinary Miracle has really stood out among the run of Russian films I've seen, which was at a very high standard. And I mean this in a very good way. An Ordinary Miracle is a beautiful-looking film, the fantasy settings are wondrous and the scenery like some of the other best of Russian films makes me wish I could go to Russia. The photography is of the kind that is simple but also very elegant. The music is orchestrated sensitively and to the extent that you wish you can buy it on CD alone, the songs also stick in your head for days and are just lovely. There is some satire in the dialogue and it's very sharp and hilarious, and there's a lot of thoughtful and touching moments too. The story made me laugh with the satire, cry or feel very touched with the three romances(very romantic and charming) and in awe with the fantasy elements. It is also swiftly told, I was impressed at how much there was, it's a quite long film but never tiresome. The characters are quirky engage hugely, all of them serving a point. The acting is theatrical but still very good, Oleg Yankovsky and Irina Kupchenko are excellent. Overall, beautiful film and a miracle really. 10/10 Bethany Cox