The film has a bit of youthfulness to it as shown in the way the character's poke fun at each other during the most unusual situations. Situations that are not a custom here in the United States, like the Bath House where everyone is together in one setting. A setting in which has its own community and rules to adhere by, whether they follow those particular rules is another thing, for example, the alcohol mixed with beer. I thought I had heard someone say that the beer was welcomed in the bath house put not the harder liquors. I could be wrong, so feel free to correct me on it, thanks.
The film does an amazing job at recreating the mixed up town and the scenario at hand in which the main character, by the name of Zhenya drinks way too much for his own good and wellbeing. This happened shortly after he was invited to spend some one-on-one time with a friend by the name of Galya. Galya has plans that will keep Zhenya right next to her while the New Year rings in. Their talk about being a couple was youthfully enlightening. Meaning, the characters played on the naive side of a bachelor when anyone mentioned the potential for sex. Zhenya would have this childlike glow in his eyes and then breaks into singing for Galya. All this is happening while Pavlik, Zhenya's best friend is being sent away to the bath house without his good friend and potentially to the airport as planned, but this time he will be alone.
Later in the movie it turns out that the celebration of the news on Zhenya and Galya's wedding had enhanced the guys at the bath house to drink on just about everything they could think of, as long as it gives them an opportunity to drink, they'd bring it up. Being that Zhenya really isn't an avid drinker, he is taken into a deeper, less than sober state which has his best interest at bay. He ends up being on the plane instead of Pavlik thanks to his drinking buddy’s recollection of who goes where in the events that unfolds in their eyes while under the influence.
Far away from Moscow and his soon to be wife, Zhenya is found stumbling upon a familiar building with some of the same restlessness he is used to around his block. Outside of the drunken falls and climbs he works his way through the elevator and then to his bed by the tree. Moments later he is awaken by the aggressive homeowner tugging and pouring water on him because he is actually in the wrong apartment.
Between the two, Nadenka and Zhenya, they manage to work out the people, places and things that helped in the recovery of what might have taken place during the evening. Events that led up to Zhenya being nearly eight hours away from his apartment and his bride to be, that is, had to be reversed before the night is through. For what would his Galya think if she finds out that he ended up at a ladies apartment in another part of the country ringing in the New Year after accepting each other as more than friends?
Soon, the boyfriend of Nadenka arrives and disapproves in a much too familiar tune as anyone who walks into a situation as he walked in to this New Years Eve. Ippolit, simply doesn't understand and I cannot blame him for the questions, I mean, the guy was in his boxers and at one point didn't Zhenya have Nadenka's dress?
Overall, I enjoyed the film project thus far. The story and the characters help make the timely sense of humor worth watching and believable and leaves me thinking of times that I had mishaps in life growing up and the sense of familiarity helps sell the storyline to anyone who is open to the fact of this scenario, although is not real, has the potential to happen to anyone.
Some of the little things, outside the storyline, I have noticed while watching the film:
The Clock turned to: 20:00
Their clothing was plain and not filled with bright decor or seams
The Television set only had audio and a Blue screen for the first few seconds
"No familiarity" was stressed when trying to say "No Same Sex Love for me"
The music behind the project sounded closely like Disney's B & W Mickey Mouse Era projects
There weren't many vehicles in or around the apartment complex in either location
The lighting was different from one camera angle to another in Nadenka's place
Lots of interesting observations here...just a couple quick responses: Soviet Russia tended to use military time in official settings. For example, a movie would be listed as beginning at 19:30 rather than 7:30 pm. And airports would rigorously follow this procedure as well (and all of this is still the case up to the present day). Also, what you say about beer vs. liquor in the banya (баня) is correct--though people would frequently sneak the harder stuff in without their being much problem. Did you also notice that Russians make a big deal of eating something, however slight (even if only a chocolate) when drinking vodka or other hard beverages. These accompanying bits of food are referred to as zakuski (закуски).
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