Review by james-brandon-1

Like many successful dark comedies, this movie has a plot that could be very serious and melodramatic, but the light touch of the acting and directing transforms potentially horrifying moments into humorous ones. I like the way that the film bounces back and forth between tones, and in some ways, it reminds me of Capra's take on Kesselring's Arsenic and Old Lace. The style of this movie is strong and unique, and it may rub some viewers the wrong way. I personally loved it, and think that the young writing/directing team has some interesting work ahead of them. Their style certainly reminds me of the films of Quentin Tarantino and Guy Ritchie, although it is not as violently bombastic as the former, nor is it as comically subtle as the latter. The acting is fresh, the situation is compelling and the apartment is fabulous. The animation is also interesting, and it provides a nice cut-away from the apartment and into the characters' pasts. I enjoy contemporary Russian cinema, and while this film wouldn't even make my Top 10 list of Russian films since 2000, it is a fun little movie. Clocking in at a mere 81 minutes, this movie is definitely worth a look.