This is an amazingly frank film when it comes to sexuality considering that it was made in 1927. While it doesn't show any nudity, it does have a plot that is more sexual in nature than the Pre-Code American films being made at the time.
My biggest reason for enjoying the film actually had little to do with the plot. Instead, I loved seeing all the shots of Moscow from this era--it was a much prettier and spectacular city than I had imagined. I really liked all the street scenes and major sites shown mostly near the beginning of the film. I also loved the inventive camera work--something you don't see in most silents.
A construction foreman and his wife live in a small apartment. Soon, the husband brings home an old friend to stay with them. It seems the two men were both comrades in the army during the Revolution. But, as there isn't much room, the friend must sleep on the couch--while the couple sleep together behind a thin curtain. After weeks of such an arrangement, the husband goes on a business trip--during which time the friend and the wife have sex. When the husband returns, he sees that he's not wanted and leaves. But, later when he returns to get his things, he is encouraged to stay and have a very open relationship. A couple months pass and she becomes pregnant and neither man know whose child it is--so they suggest to her she get an abortion! Eventually, she decides not to and leaves for good--leaving the two men to share the apartment.
So, the film talks about adultery, a ménage à trois and abortion--what an interesting little film. I don't know if such topics were usually talked about in Soviet films to know if this was the norm. I had thought Soviet films were rather conservative, but I am very, very far from an expert on Russian films. It did shock me and this kept me watching--even if the rest of the film was only average. The biggest reason to watch this is for curiosity sake, as the humor didn't seem funny enough to recommend it.
My biggest reason for enjoying the film actually had little to do with the plot. Instead, I loved seeing all the shots of Moscow from this era--it was a much prettier and spectacular city than I had imagined. I really liked all the street scenes and major sites shown mostly near the beginning of the film. I also loved the inventive camera work--something you don't see in most silents.
A construction foreman and his wife live in a small apartment. Soon, the husband brings home an old friend to stay with them. It seems the two men were both comrades in the army during the Revolution. But, as there isn't much room, the friend must sleep on the couch--while the couple sleep together behind a thin curtain. After weeks of such an arrangement, the husband goes on a business trip--during which time the friend and the wife have sex. When the husband returns, he sees that he's not wanted and leaves. But, later when he returns to get his things, he is encouraged to stay and have a very open relationship. A couple months pass and she becomes pregnant and neither man know whose child it is--so they suggest to her she get an abortion! Eventually, she decides not to and leaves for good--leaving the two men to share the apartment.
So, the film talks about adultery, a ménage à trois and abortion--what an interesting little film. I don't know if such topics were usually talked about in Soviet films to know if this was the norm. I had thought Soviet films were rather conservative, but I am very, very far from an expert on Russian films. It did shock me and this kept me watching--even if the rest of the film was only average. The biggest reason to watch this is for curiosity sake, as the humor didn't seem funny enough to recommend it.