Customer Reviews

12

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I accidentally stumbled upon this movie one boring Friday night when I stopped by a local Blockbuster store. Never even heard of it before and at first rolled my eyes thinking that this would be Mikhalkov's feeble attempt to remake a classic that I like so much. As an expatriate from the former Soviet Union, I tend to be a bit suspicious when it comes to Russian attempts to "go Hollywood." Yet, I felt some weird pull to rent it...

I must say, this movie completely blew me away!!! I would imagine it tough reading the subtitles for a movie that relies so heavily on dialog and small nuances of speech and my hat is off to those of you who were willing to invest the time to watch this movie. It's also sad that some of the things got lost in translation: accents of some of the jurors, or the fact that the bombed cafe in the flash-back scenes was called "Cheburashka" - a sweet stuffed animal cartoon character every Russian child grew up with (oh, the irony!), or that the hand-scribbled sign above the entrance into the basement where the boy was hiding read, "Don't shoot, there are women and children inside," etc. Nevertheless, the fact that none of these things - the length, the subtitles, the little things lost in translation, the cultural differences - took away from the power of the movie serves as a testament to the director's craft. Simply superb!

You know how it goes: Someone tells you an "art" film is good, you put it on your list, you Netflix or rent it. And then it sits, because you don't have quite enough energy to watch something that might require your brain to kick into first gear. Such was 12, with me, until I decided to give it the "30 minute test": if I wasn't hooked in 30 minutes, back to Netflix with this sucker.

I was hooked inside of ten minutes. This Russian language film (English subtitles)serves notice that the Russki's really can make good films, REALLY good films. Based on the premise of the original American drama Twelve Angry Men, a Chechen teen is accused of murdering his Russian stepfather. The jury expects deliberation will take less than a half hour, the audience knows otherwise.

Though borrowed from an American film, 12 is uniquely, and in many ways, purely Russian. Using sharply defined acting and amazingly detailed character studies, 12 unfolds for Westerners an intimate portrait of Russia in the 21st century, and a fascinating and engaging portrait it is. In a way reminiscent of Slumdog Millionaire, the story unfolds as each juror tells a story about life in Russia, each story but one whittling down the guilty votes. Each story reveals the Russian soul and temperament in ways that a dry treatise simply cannot.

Complete with a twist at the end that is engaging and powerful, this film will please any viewer that prides him/herself on being a student of foreign cinema. A bit lengthy (hey, ever heard of a Russian novel that was SHORT?) 12 will reward a bit of patience richly.

This film is a glimpse into the very soul of Russia: Outsized, florid, flamboyant, cruel, petty, funny, and poetic. It is as if Gogol's Dead Souls were transported to a 21st century courtroom. The gruesome flashbacks to the horrors of the Chechen War provide resonance, context, and meaning. The acting is superb (if extravagant), and the direction and montage artful, even at times beautiful. Mysterious and poetical symbols are scattered throughout; it is a credit to the director's skill that they remain so effective. Two hours and 40 minutes of speeches you have to read as subtitles may seem like a chore. It is instead a moving and illuminating experience.

Tremendous film by Nikita Mikhalkov - an all time Russian great film director. Mikhalkov has been under some criticism for getting too cozy with the Russian powers, including Putin personally. But in my eyes, he redeems himself here by making a powerful and poignant film about today's Russia.. Mikhalkov touches on all the uncomfortable topics of racism, anti-semitism and huge gap between the rich and the poor. The topics raised in this film will resonate with any Western viewer, so do not be put off by subtitles. This was 2.5 hour investment worth every second.

Im going to keep his short isn't much to say. Yes it is like 12 angry men (one of my favorite films) but 12 goes off in a direction and much deeper than previously explored in the former. I also think this film has a greater reach in its humanity and is far more existential. Acting, directing, and writing were flawless. Drama with a bit of psycho drama. Typical of Russian art, length is not of consequence, the movie runs about 2.40minutes and subtitled.

Rarely do I rate movies 5 star, but this film has the capacity to change the way you at least look at life.

12 is a 12 or at least a 10. Flawless in every respect. A true
masterpiece of filmmaking. A MUST SEE !

I watched this movie because I like foreign movies. I had not really entirely watched "12 Angry Men" but did rent it a couple of days later to be able to compare the two. They are both excellent movies with a powerful message. However, the Russian movie "12" was by far my favorite and the main reason is the cultural dancing shown by the young defendant (in flashbacks as a child and also while waiting his fate in his jail cell). I became enthralled by this dancing. Spectacular. "12" has a much more in-depth and satisfying ending.

I'm ashamed to say that I've never seen the original "12 Angry Men" but if it's any bit of good as this remake I'm going to add it to the top of my must see list. "12" is a gripping tale of a ragtag group of jurors(a bigoted cabie, a neurotic TV producer, and a kindhearted architect to name a few) who must decide the fate of a young Chechen boy accused of murdering his father. As they gather in a run down high school gym, the disinterested jurors quickly agree on a guilty charge. They all have places to go people to see. One open minded juror disagrees and begins a fascinating process of deduction and personal revelation. As the jurors slowly pick away at the case they take turns being the star of the film, each one giving their back story and a reason for casting their guilty/not guilty vote. Even though the film is in Russian, there is no denying that the acting is superb. Every actor gives a riveting performance and that's something rare in film. "12" is a wonderful film, The acting is some of the best I've seen recently and it's a very entertaining "whodunit/court room drama". Fascinating, gripping, and at times touching, "12" is a film you should make a point in watching.

this movie was fabulous. Th effects, the storyline, the acting and everything about it. It's definitely worth it. I highly recommend it to anyone who is a fan of foreign films.

I agree with many of all of the other positive comments made about this movie. Not being a Russian speaking person, the movie was still easy to follow since it closely followed the storyline of 12 Angry Men. What makes this film great however, is that it provides instances of great reflection into weaknesses and strengths of Russian culture, and their internal struggle to overcome the weaknesses.