3 reviews
Sulev Nõmmik's Noor pensionär captures both the absurdities of Soviet-era life and the timeless humour of human misadventure. Starring Ervin Abel as Pukspuu, a prematurely retired ballet dancer, the film follows his search for purpose after being ceremoniously pushed into pensioner life far too early. What unfolds is a series of misadventures, culminating in his role as tutor to the unruly daughter of a high-flying "mother pilot."
The humour leans heavily on slapstick-often exaggerated, occasionally bordering on the absurd-but is saved repeatedly by razor-sharp dialogue and perfectly timed punchlines. While one may find the physical comedy excessive, the film's charm lies in its ability to blend silly antics with genuine wit. Abel's performance is both cartoonish and heartfelt, supported by a cast of Estonian cinema legends including Lia Laats, Leida Rammo, and Endel Pärn.
Visually, this film offers a nostalgic look at 1970s Tallinn (alas, black-and-white only), complete with era-specific furniture and Soviet subtleties. Beneath the comedy lies a gentle satire of the bureaucratic absurdity of Soviet life, making it a film that resonates even beyond its historical context. It remains a beloved classic for a reason-funny, fast-paced, and infused with cultural insight. Best enjoyed in Estonian for full effect, but the English-subtitled version still brings plenty of laughs.
The humour leans heavily on slapstick-often exaggerated, occasionally bordering on the absurd-but is saved repeatedly by razor-sharp dialogue and perfectly timed punchlines. While one may find the physical comedy excessive, the film's charm lies in its ability to blend silly antics with genuine wit. Abel's performance is both cartoonish and heartfelt, supported by a cast of Estonian cinema legends including Lia Laats, Leida Rammo, and Endel Pärn.
Visually, this film offers a nostalgic look at 1970s Tallinn (alas, black-and-white only), complete with era-specific furniture and Soviet subtleties. Beneath the comedy lies a gentle satire of the bureaucratic absurdity of Soviet life, making it a film that resonates even beyond its historical context. It remains a beloved classic for a reason-funny, fast-paced, and infused with cultural insight. Best enjoyed in Estonian for full effect, but the English-subtitled version still brings plenty of laughs.
'Young Pensioner' is the weakest in Sulev Nõmmik's great comedy trilogy compared with 'Men Don't Cry' or with 'Here We Are', but nonetheless it's is still entertaining comedy with over the top slapstick and some subtleties. The story is very generic love story in heavy slapstick sauce that occasionally goes bit too far with becoming simply banal. The film might be too silly for some tastes (at least it is to me), but the fantastic dialogue is worth to suffer through some silly monkeying. The genius of the writing actually lies in the punchlines that end every heavy slapstick scene with such a punch that after being annoyed by couple of minutes of kick in the but jokes you end up laughing your but off. The actions are very cartoonish, but every word spoken in the film is pure gold.
This is quite good (if you like soviet movies)comedy which includes some hidden inside jokes about soviet system. Now there is DVD version available in Estonia and it has English subtitles! However this movie should be understand in Estonian language. In this movie appear also young Katrin Karisma and some other now famous actors. Furthermore, it includes good old time Estonian superstars like super funny Ervin Abel and Lia Laats! Their use of language is unbearable and total laughingstock. I liked it also because in movie one can see nice and clean '70es Tallinn and soviet era furniture and living conditions. It's so nostalgic. One of most funniest soviet era Estonian comedies! Recommend strongly!