Moscow Does Not Believe in Tears

Burnt by the Sun being close, I think this has been my favorite film thusfar. The characters were sympathetic (for the most part), the situations intriguing, the music wonderful...

I will say I felt kind of cheated at the situation with Gurin. When someone protests that much, and is finally persuaded to drink (in film, anyway), I think it's become cliche for them to turn into hopeless drunks. He was such a likable character up to that point, I had liked that he made Lyudmila more likable.

Of the three women, I think I related most to Tosya. I kind of wish we had learned more about her, but it's obvious she was the one with the best relationships. Her husband was kind and attentive, and her children seemed well brought up. She was taking care of her mother (in law? I couldn't tell)...I liked her a lot. Plus! Kolya, her husband, is the one who goes out of his way to find Gosha for Katya. I like that although he married Tosya, he kind of adopted the other two.

Katya was the main character, and definitely the most interesting. As soon as we found out she was pregnant, I knew Rudolph was going to leave her. I definitely felt sorry for her situation, and was glad to see her work her way up in the factory.

Lyudmila was my least favorite. I was upset that she had that party, and lied to everyone. Then, she got mad when Katya wanted to tell the truth. I was actually kind of glad that things didn't work out for she and Gurin. I didn't like that it was from his being an alcoholic, but I felt she got her come-uppance. I thought she was calculating (when she was younger, anyway) and found the party she threw tacky. Like, it wasn't obvious at ALL what her intentions were *eye roll*...and I felt really bad for the old executive man who kept going to the bathroom, lol. He was so ridiculously out of place...it was funny and sad at the same time.

Gosha was great. I especially liked his relationship with Alexandra. He was almost instantly her father figure. The fact that he went after a high school group, though maybe not the best choice, shows how much he cared for her. I guess it's kind of stupid that he got so upset about Katya's job standing, but whatever, I guess it's a gender thing. I can't say it's just cultural, because I think that attitude is present everywhere.

I noticed a lot of red with Katya. I don't know if it's supposed to symbolize anything or if the costumer just liked the color red. Her shoes stood out against her grey jacket, along with a red purse, gloves...even the flowers from Rudolph at a later date.

I found it interesting that Katya met Rudolph at the same place where he had ended their relationship, when she told him she was pregnant. There were even old men playing the same game, and just as before- there was a focus on parents and children.

Haha, I got excited about the Samovars in the movie...because I knew what they were. I watched a wedding show this summer, and the woman was Russian, and got all excited that they were going to use one for her reception. So when I saw them in the movie I was like "Ha! I know what that it!"

As usual, I loved the singing. When the women all get together at Tosya's, and they're singing...beautiful. I didn't want them to stop. The songs and poetry throughout the movie just added to my appreciation for the film.

The lady who ran the dating service...was she in Irony of Fate? Also, Vitya (Rudolph's brother) had an Ignat-esque air to him. I know those two weren't the same...maybe Russian boys of that age just give me a creepy vibe.

This is definitely a film that I want to watch again...and again and again, haha.