Eldar Alexandrovich Ryazanov, the renowned master of comedies, one of the most beloved Soviet and Russian directors, has written/directed during his long career many films that don't get old or outdated. They are beautiful, moving, funny, and unforgettable. Ryazanov created his own style of lyrical comedy which is known for its subtle delicate humor, often imperfect but likable characters, and the atmosphere of love ready to happen in the most unusual places under the least expectable circumstances. Along with lyrical comedy, Eldar Ryazanov wrote and directed some of most powerful Soviet and Post-Soviet satires, such as 'Garazh' (1979), Zabytaya melodiya dlya fleyty (1988) ... aka Forgotten Melody for a Lonely Flute and "Nebesa Obetovannye" or "Promised Heaven" (1991).
I've seen almost every one of his movies and I love them all but "Vokzal dlya dvoich" is one of his very best. Touching, funny and heartbreaking, "Vokzal dlya dvoich" is perfect as melodrama/romance; the genre that way too often produces over-sentimental sickly sweet unwatchable duds. In "Vokzal dlya dvoich", Platon Ryabinin (Oleg Basiloshvili), the pianist from Moscow, meets the love of his life when he least expects or needs it. He is going through the most difficult period of his life, spending the last days as a free man and awaiting the trial for the crime he did not commit. His wife was driving their car with him as a passenger, and she accidentally hit and killed a man. Platon said to the police and investigators that he was behind the wheel... While on the train to see his elderly father for what could be the last time, Platon stuck at provincial rail station after a quarrel in the station restaurant with a waitress, whom he saw as loud, vulgar, and disgusting - despite her nice figure and striking face (Lyudmila Gurchenko, Soviet movie superstar and a talented singer and writer). At one point, he finds himself with no proper ID and his valet stolen. Now he has to rely on help and understanding from the very woman who caused his delay and distress. After two days that Platon had to spend mostly at the Zastupinsk rail station in the company of Vera, the waitress, the single mother with a typical sad story, both their lives have changed forever.
Nikita Michalkov was remarkable as the obnoxious smug black market dealer - train attendant Andrei, Vera's boyfriend-on-the-move. His two cameos in the movie were brilliant. Basiloshvili and Gurchenko were simply great together, never playing a single false note in this melody for two lonely hearts and the rail station. The film is funny, lyrical, satirical, bittersweet, and dramatic, often at the same time but its final scene when Vera and Platon meet again after she has traveled 7000 km by train, plain, and truck to the Siberia camp where he was serving time is amazing in its emotional power. It is not easy to recall another scene that reveals so much love, loyalty, readiness to go through all possible and impossible obstacles just to be with one you love - for good, for bad, forever - through the eyes of a woman who simply sits at the table and watches her beloved eating or rather wolfing the food that she prepared just for him. Masterful and heartbreaking.
I've seen almost every one of his movies and I love them all but "Vokzal dlya dvoich" is one of his very best. Touching, funny and heartbreaking, "Vokzal dlya dvoich" is perfect as melodrama/romance; the genre that way too often produces over-sentimental sickly sweet unwatchable duds. In "Vokzal dlya dvoich", Platon Ryabinin (Oleg Basiloshvili), the pianist from Moscow, meets the love of his life when he least expects or needs it. He is going through the most difficult period of his life, spending the last days as a free man and awaiting the trial for the crime he did not commit. His wife was driving their car with him as a passenger, and she accidentally hit and killed a man. Platon said to the police and investigators that he was behind the wheel... While on the train to see his elderly father for what could be the last time, Platon stuck at provincial rail station after a quarrel in the station restaurant with a waitress, whom he saw as loud, vulgar, and disgusting - despite her nice figure and striking face (Lyudmila Gurchenko, Soviet movie superstar and a talented singer and writer). At one point, he finds himself with no proper ID and his valet stolen. Now he has to rely on help and understanding from the very woman who caused his delay and distress. After two days that Platon had to spend mostly at the Zastupinsk rail station in the company of Vera, the waitress, the single mother with a typical sad story, both their lives have changed forever.
Nikita Michalkov was remarkable as the obnoxious smug black market dealer - train attendant Andrei, Vera's boyfriend-on-the-move. His two cameos in the movie were brilliant. Basiloshvili and Gurchenko were simply great together, never playing a single false note in this melody for two lonely hearts and the rail station. The film is funny, lyrical, satirical, bittersweet, and dramatic, often at the same time but its final scene when Vera and Platon meet again after she has traveled 7000 km by train, plain, and truck to the Siberia camp where he was serving time is amazing in its emotional power. It is not easy to recall another scene that reveals so much love, loyalty, readiness to go through all possible and impossible obstacles just to be with one you love - for good, for bad, forever - through the eyes of a woman who simply sits at the table and watches her beloved eating or rather wolfing the food that she prepared just for him. Masterful and heartbreaking.