Russkies

My review was written in July 1987 at a pre-release screening on Manhattan's UWS.

"Russkies" wears its heart on its sleeve, obviously intended to be a fable for youngsters to educate them to a message of universal brotherhood and tolerance. Unfortunately, this carbon copy of Norman Jewison's 1966 United Artists hit "The Russians Are Coming, the Russians are Coming" is ineptly handled and laughable, with a very weak cast in place of the original's heady lineup of farceurs. Aggressively themed throughout its running time to July 4th celebration atmosphere, pic faces tough sledding in it unwisely delayed until November release berth.

Handsome blond Whip Hubley portrays Mischa Pushkin (his name engenders one of the script's few laughs), a Soviet sailor washed ashore in Key West, Florida, when a submarine's landing party (to pick up military secrets being sold by traitor Leo Rossi) gets caught in a storm. THree gun-ho, junior Rambos (Leaf Phoenix, Peter Billingsley and Stefan DeSalle) reluctantly take him under their wing when they quickly realize a flesh-and-blood Russian soldier does not conform to their comic books' image of an evil enemy. In fact he akes an ideal playmate as hey buy him clothes and chaperone him around town.

Of course, Hubley falls in love at first sight (and the feeling is mutual) with Billingsley's olderl sister Susan Walters, but the adult world is only interested in tracking down (or shooting down) this nice-guy alien, especially when his two nasty crewmates show up, bent on stealing U. S. military secrets and kidnapping the yourng heroes for protection.

To be fair, though pic's plot outline is virtually idenitcal to that of the Jewison film Iwhich was based on Nathaniel Benchley's novel "The Off-Landers"), "Russkies" is probably not a ripoff, but rather a case of reinventing the wheel. Update unwisely emphasizes the underlying propaganda aspercts of the piece, with director Rick Rosenthal frequently drawing the action to a halt for extended monologs by Hubley or others to drive home the too-obvious plea for understanding.

Windup even has the young trio, after everything has been sorted out, reading "War and Peace" instead of their "Sgt. Slammer" comic books, a Classic Comix version of Tolstoy would have been more believable.

Precocious Billingsley easily dominates the film while his confreres Phoenix and DeSalle are, respectively, woloden and earnest. Walters is a dish tolook at, but her dreamy-eyed acting is poor. Supporting cast is quite bland, as songstress Carole King stands around blankly as Phoenix' mother, and yet another oddly named member of the Phoenix clan, cute Dummer Phoenix pops up, natch, as Phoenix' little sister.

Hubley treies hard in his bloated lead role, yet another script miscalculation since his similary styled prototype, Joh Phillip Law, had the advantage of playing straight to an hilarious group of comedians including Alan Arkin, Jonathan Winters and Paul Ford. This time, an audience has only Hubley, insufferablel kids or paper-thin adult stereotypes to choose from and it's no fun.

Tech credits are well done, though the Key West atmosphere, layed on with a trowel, is irrlevant to the theme other than location's proximity to Cuba.

Russian radio operator Whip Hubley (as Mischa) washes up in Key West, Florida as the U.S. Fourth of July holiday approaches. After the Communist mishap, three young American lads evade their parents to go out in their JFK-influenced "PT 109" motorboat. The boys discover Mr. Hubley in their hideout and fear a Communist invasion. But, Hubley turns out to be a nice guy and makes friends with gun-ho Joaquin "Leaf" Phoenix (as Danny), Peter Billingsley (as Adam), and Stefan DeSalle (as Jason). His handsomeness attracts Adam's beautiful older sister Susan Walters (as Diane)...

Soon, the kids' parents, US military, and "Russkies" are all looking for Hubley...

This is a "feel-good" family movie obviously made to prepare Americans for the inevitable dissolution of the Soviet Union. Unlike several of the planet's legendary rivalries, the Americans and Russians never really hated each other as people, so the potential for friendship was easy to sell. The "Cold War" enemies were really political systems, fueled by technological advances in space exploration and military might. The film's "You homo!" quips, sissy limp-wrist gestures, and boys' fear of hugging a man suggest a sequel could have featured Olympian Greg Louganis washing up on their shore.

***** Russkies (11/6/87) Rick Rosenthal ~ Whip Hubley, Joaquin Phoenix, Peter Billingsley, Stefan DeSalle

"Russkies" is basically a sweet movie. I'm not a sappy person, and it almost made me cry. (I had a huge lump in my throat.) There is just something about seeing people care for each other that really makes me happy. And "Russkies" gives me a warm feeling. The chemistry between the actors is incredible. What's even more amazing that three of them were young and quite inexperienced. Although its plot isn't very realistic, it's okay, because the meaning of it is not lost. And I think the whole point behind this little movie is that - this is gonna sound incredibly cheesy - friendship knows no boundary or age difference. That last scene between Danny (Joaquin/Leaf Phoenix) and Misha (Whip Hubley) had me in near tears. And one thing Misha said really hit home. I don't remember the exact words, but he said people don't trust each other. I think it's very true.

I bought this tape mainly to see Joaquin as a little kid. I know he's an awesome actor but I didn't know he was already awesome as a child. Those eyes, even at such a young age, can speak volumes. Joaquin/Leaf gave a truly great performance as Danny, and so did the other two kids whose names have escaped my ailing memory. I know nothing about Whip Hubley, and when the tape ended I thought he really is a Russian. Good performances all around, even from Summer Phoenix who wasn't in it a lot and that actress who played the blond boy's sister whom I usually can't stand.

All in all, "Russkies" is worth watching.

This is one of those movies you see on a Sunday afternoon on TV. This was my first time renting it from the library, I am trying to watch all of Joachin's films. His acting was great an so was his reading ability..that is what makes a great actor. The little blond that was in Something Wicked This Way Comes was exceptional as well. The 80's look comes thru in this movie, and it still stands up to today's films. If you like Joachin Phoenix, this is one to admire and watch. The music is really 80's a lot of keyboard. And the only person I didn't like was Carol King. She can't act and she can barely sing. Otherwise it was enjoyable.

I remember seeing this movie when it first came out in the theaters--the L.A. Times gave it a favorable review and it sounded kind of fun. It was.

It's dated now ('80s clothes, '80s politics), but it's an amusing, somewhat corny little movie that will entertain and amuse. I thought that the interaction between the three boys and "their" Russian sailor seemed genuine, and I liked the premise. The scenes where the boys have a "day out" with their new (Russian) buddy are especially fun to watch.

Whip Hubley is cute and likable as the stranded Russian (but, oh, that big '80s hair cut he's got!). Leaf Phoenix (now known as Joaquin) is excellent as one of the boys. (I recall how the L.A. Times review took special note of Phoenix's performance, and predicted that he had a great future ahead of him. Boy, were they right!) Also take note of Benjamin Hendrickson (playing Phoenix's Hungarian father who has no love for Russians). Hendrickson is mostly known for soap opera work, but he has an effective supporting role in this film.

This is a little movie with some laughs and a good heart. It's not a *great* film, but still enjoyable. James Newton Howard (still early in his career when this movie was made) does a good job with the score. I even bought the soundtrack (on LP at the time) and it is enjoyable to listen to on its own!