User reviews

People are usually divided concerning this Ryazanov movie. It's rather hard for an unprepared watcher and many, including Nikulin himself, did not like it. But it's an important milestone both in Ryazanov work as well as in Soviet cinema. Not everyone can read behind the lines, but it's a very deep social and moral satire. Already in this movie Ryazanov made a decisive step towards tragicomedy. Nikulin as the honest and very naive detective actually parodies his former "Gorbunkov" impersonations, coming close to grotesque. The final trial scene is excellent and surrealistic. Short contributions from Andrey Mironov, Georgiy Burkov are excellent. Olga Aroseva was know as TV comedy actress before this movie, and this film makes some insight into her deeper personality and talent. The film is also famous for showing the medieval architecture of Lvov and old vintage trams on its streets.