L'aiguille

This movie's main attraction is, of course, the protagonist played by Viktor Tzoi - famous Russian rock mucisian who died tragically in a car accident merely two years after making this movie. The film's plot is quite primitive and unoriginal. Moro (Tzoi) comes to Alma-Ata and tries to save his junky girlfriend from drug addiction, but runs into trouble with the local drug mafia. The lowest point of the film are Tzoi's pathetic attempts to imitate Bruce Lee. Plus, his coolness comes off as a bit forced and pompous. Despite all that, director Rashid Nugmanov was able to create some pretty cool moments with addition of post-modern twists and some surreal scenes. Piotr Mamonov's performance as an evil doctor also helps.

The film's soundtrack, including original music by Tzoi's band KINO, is also very cool, and really contributes to the overall feeling of the movie.

This movie was originally released in Russia in 1989, and as a teenager I still remember that all the people, especially the young, impressionable kids, agreed that the movie's final scene was quite a highlight. I don't want to give it away, although it's not as mindblowing as you might think (and it's definitely not up to the standard of contemporary Western movies), but I still think that it's pretty effective, especially with KINO's hit song playing in the background. To sum it up, I will say that if you are not Russian, and not into rock music, there isn't much you will get out of this movie. Personally, I still like it quite a bit, but in a nostalgic sort of way.

I have no doubt that the main reason why many people chose to watch this film was because the Soviet rock legend Viktor Tsoi was the protagonist, and this was my reason for watching too. I have been a fan of his music for quite a while, so was curious how about this film, and it was actually far better than I expected.

Tsoi does a great job at playing the role of the protagonist Moro, and whilst the plot was fairly simple, I still enjoyed it. As many others have also pointed out, the ending scene was very good and I can understand why it became so iconic.

The soundtrack here is also great, with several iconic Kino songs playing throughout the duration of the film, as well as some original music that was created specifically for the film.

Ultimately, if you are a fan of Viktor Tsoi and Kino, you will definitely enjoy this film. However, if you are not, you may not find much that holds your interest unless you are particularly a fan of late Soviet-era films such as this.

If you can understand Russian then you simply have to watch this film, I'm not aware of an English translation available but if you find one and have an interest in life at the end of the USSR then watch Igla. This film is a vehicle for Viktor Tsoi, Soviet rock superstar and one of the most talented musicians there has ever been. It's a film made on a budget but this adds to the atmosphere of the thing,The film has some great direction and although cheap has been made with thought and care. However the best thing about this film is it's soundtrack, truly brilliant, Tsoi really is a music icon and this film, made not long before his death is a fitting tribute to him and his legacy. I recommend this film wholeheartedly!

There is an opinion under this sky that Russian cinema died at the end of 1980s or in the beginning of the 1990s and since then nothing appropriate has been shot on camera. Well, to be more exact, to my mind, the end of the 1980s and the beginning of the 1990s is the golden era of Russian cinema. While Soviet era shined on screen for quite some time delivering many amusing and family-oriented masterpieces, the period we are talking about is like a flash of light. Being a shooting star, it screeched and vanished near the end of the millennium, while sky-rocketing in its full bliss. The movies of this short, tragic but awesome period were loaded and loaded with real ammo unlike today's flip-flop chicken flicks-blockbusters, which, in most cases, are able to shoot blanks only... OK, got carried away, for which sorry, ladies and gentlemen.

"Igla" is one of those loaded movies. Maybe you should have spent your teen years in the 1980s-1990s to feel its drive. Or perhaps you should be kind of out-of-this-world. Or, maybe, just a very romantic and un-CGI dreamer. Or corny and unpretentious fellow, who enjoys cinema without cornflakes & Coca-Cola. Or insane... Just make sure that you are watching the original "Igla", not a glamour remix/remake, which, as this treacherous cinema business rotates today, does exist too.

Oh, almost forgot to say a couple of words regarding the essence of the movie. It's about a bunch of young degenerates living on the ashes of the once prolific empire (USSR). You cannot blame these weirdos - the older generation led them into a dead end.

A 10 out of 10 for this greyish no-escape flick from the amazing 1980s. Thanks for attention.

In Soviet Union, nearly everything was Soviet -- Soviet music, Soviet food (you don't want to know the details, believe me), Soviet politics and, yes, Soviet cinema. And, as with all things Soviet, also Soviet cinema had those very special marks that distinguished it as typically Soviet. Now, Igla is the essence of Soviet cinema. Just about everything that has to be in Soviet Perestroika time drama is present in Igla -- lousy storyline about some "current problem" (drug addicts in this one -- although if it was called a problem then, I don't know how to call it now), very clear and visible efforts to make "art" out of this storyline, popular "star" (Tsoy) in leading role, Soviet rock as a soundtrack, unbelievably low-quality picture with mono sound and lots and lots of Soviet reality.

Overall, I find the film very depressing (must be because it reminds me of the "good ol'" Soviet Union times), but what do I know. Anyway -- if you're interested in Soviet Union, especially Perestroika time, this is a must see -- it really captures the mood of the time and feels much like time-machine. But if you are not, then you really shouldn't bother (and it might be extremely hard to get a copy anywhere that's to West from Russia).