What a Mess
(SHILY MYRLY) ((RUSSIAN))
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An epic satire on the current confusion of Russian life, "What a Mess . . ." is a lively, if occasionally repetitious, comedy of mistaken identities. Mosfilm's biggest production this year, pic vaunts an all-star cast and director , Vladimir Menshov, whose "Moscow Doesn't Believe in Tears" won an Oscar in 1981 . Enjoyable as slapstick, pic looks bound for success at home, while foreign pickups, apart from festivals, will probably be contained to neighboring and related markets.
When the world's biggest diamond is unearthed in a Siberian minefield, the whole country rejoices: It will pay the national debt, allowing every Russian citizen to move to the Canaries.
A Mafia plot to steal it backfires when the notorious thief Vesja (Valery Garkalin) switches diamonds at the airport. Bumbling police chief Igor Ugolnikov tracks him to his boozing aunt's (Inna Churikova) apartment, while the Mafia closes in. But in a series of slapstick chases, Vesja slips through their fingers by impersonating 10 people.
He is abetted by the discovery that he is a triplet, when two brothers turn up -- one a famous Jewish conductor, Innokenty, who has returned to his native land to wed dizzy American divorcee Carol (Vera Alenkova), and Roman, a gypsy.
Though hardly a highbrow work, "Mess" makes several points about the absurdity of racism, concluding that whatever their superficial diffs, Russians have more in common than they care to admit.
Film's trump card is its top-notch cast, headlined by the amazing Valery Garkalin as the identical triplets.
Inna Churikova steals scenes as his hard-drinking aunt, and Vera Alentova is a laugh in multiple roles as Carol and other love interests.
Vadim Alisov's camerawork is smooth and professional, and special effects work is seamless.
Camera (color), Vadim Alisov; music, Timur Kogan; art direction, Valery Filippov; (Dolby stereo), Reviewed Cannes Film Festival (market), May 18, 1995. (In Moscow Film Festival.) Running time: 135 MIN.
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