Customer Reviews

Window to Paris [VHS]

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

The struggle between the inteligencia and the average people in a rapidly-changing society is one of many themes of this movie. If "Moscow Doesn't Believe in Tears" shows how life was during the years of stagnation (70s), this movie shows the life right after the collapse of the Soviet Union. Nicely set in St. Petersburg in the early 90s, when the Soviet Union has just collapsed, it depicts how life really was during those first few hard years - the transition from socialism to capitalism.

When the people in a communal apartment find a window into Paris, the window becomes their opportunity to see the world. They take that opportunity.....

Unfortunately, this foreign release has an important part cut out of it, perhaps because the foreign viewer may not understand its significance, but still the movie is a MUST SEE for anyone who wants to attempt to understand the mentality of Russians or who wants to know what NOT to expect of most emigrees, because those that emigrate, are the ones who try to escape from what is shown in the movie.

This movie seems to have been reviewed by only one reviewer accessible on the net--Chris Hicks of the Deseret News, whatever that is, and he didn't like it for reasons that make me think he didn't see the same movie I did. This is a French movie with Russian director and Russiansand French speakers. It's a delightful farce/romantic comedy that graphically depicts the difference between life in Russia and life in France, poking good-natured fun at the foibles of all. There's a love story and the whole movie is well directed, well acted, well written! I can't believe it isn't better known even though its been released for 6 years. My husband and I laughed out loud, so well done was the slapstick and farcical aspects (and neither of us is a fan of slapstick--we are fans of French romantic farce). The whole movie carries a certain inherent poignancy from the portrayal of the current bleakness of Russian life and future.

One word of caution: This is the French release, not the Russian one. The main story is the same, but this version introduces some curious motifs (like a trampoline) that stroke the French sense of humor but displace some of the better moments from the Russian original. As a result, a couple of otherwise hilarious subplots are, confusingly, left hanging in this version.

That said, this is a fantasy-satire with a delightfully kinked sense of humor. Sergey Dontsov is brilliant in the lead role. You will appreciate it best if you understand the Russian's love-loathe relationship with his own country, but this film will delight even a neophyte to the Russian psyche. Unlike most Russian comedies.

(Note to the reviewer below: the Deseret [sic] News is one of Salt Lake City's two main newspapers.)

When a family of simple Soviets find a magical window to Paris the fun begins! The cross-cultural perspectives and mis-en-scene jokes ar every funny, and hysterical for those who know anything about Parisian and Russian stereotypes. What makes the scripting so magical is that each character is acting entirely natural- in the context of his or her culture. But put in a foreign reality the differences lead to more than a few wild adventures and faux-pas. Not for the overly-stern, for this film will bust your gut! My only reservation is that some of the scenes are so outlandinsh that they boarder on corny.

This has got to become a cult film if it already hasn't. The human spirit presented here is so encompassing that this film can be seen over and over. It was just a pleasure to see this most worthy comedy that speaks of the striving that moves a person no matter what culture.

I enjoyed this great Russian movie which is for every person who has seen and lived the life in Eastern Europe and wishes they where in the US or Western Europe, a must see !!

This is a truly magical movie about a Russian music teacher who finds a mysterious window to Paris in his new apartment. His frequent trips to France gradually change his whole life and outlook. Alternately hilarious and touching... My favorite moments of the movie involve two peripheral characters -- Russian emigres who live in Paris and are often found waxing nostalgic about their former homeland.... Their reaction upon being unwittingly returned to Russia via the window is priceless! The action and direction transcend any language boundaries.

It is if you climb through this window to wonderland. Temptations are there for a reason; to make us realize where we have been and where we are going. Once the window has been opened, you hope it never closes. Life, dreary to some and adventurous to others can provide hopes and dreams. Now about that cat!! This is a must see for foreign films buffs or for those of us who dream for excitement. Neither will be disapointed. Russia, send us more like this.

This fantastical movie is a very charming look into what would happen if early 90's Russians came in contact with their Parisian counterparts. Not filled with typical, American situation comedy gags; this one's got soul. One of my favorites!

Since the times of Tarkovsky `s Ivan` s childhood we had not seen such display of febrile artistic imagination and superb good taste. An impoverished music teacher finds that the closet door of his new room apartment opens onto a window on the other side of which lies... the city light.

This surrealistic and tender fantasy really is a late homage to that unforgettable de Sica's Miracle in Milan. The denizens of the Russian side transport all they can make from Paris to San Petersburg .

An acidic satire and an invitation to the world of the possible: the cinema.