Moscow Does Not Believe In Tears (Moskva slezam ne verit)
"Filmmaking at its best! A thoroughly pleasing romantic comedy." - Richard Schickel, TIME
Winner of the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film (edging out such formidable competitors as Kurosawa's Kagemusha, Truffaut's The Last Metro and Szabo's Confidence), Moscow Does Not Believe in Tears is Vladimir Menshov's enchanting drama of three women struggling to establish themselves in Russia's huge and often impersonal capital city.
Liudmilla, Katerina and Antonina seem to have little in common, but are bound by a deep friendship and the shared dream that in Moscow they will somehow find happiness. Moscow follows their resourceful pursuit of professional and domestic bliss in 1958, then skips foward twenty years to see just how many of their dreams have come true.
On one level Moscow works as a free-spirited melodrama in the classic Hollywood tradition, yet at the same time it offers something more. Beneath its charming exterior, the film is a truthful, moving portrait of the plight of women in Russia, depicted over the span of two decades.
Member Reviews
Warm and Genuine - Stitch
Sentimental, yes. Some archetypes in mostly minor roles, true. Events that are a bit simplistic and predictable...a few. So my reason for the three stars? Although the story proceeds very slowly at first, it works--along the way you become part of the family. You're rewarded with a feeling of having been authentically involved in the dreams, disappointments and simple pleasures that we ordinary people can relate to.
From the reviews, you know ‘family’ comprises three young women in their early twenties starting their life journey in Moscow. The second half of the film picks up twenty years later. They capture our sympathy quickly, possibly because we see the mixture of the three distinctly different characters as ‘everywoman’. Granted, the depth and dimensions of their friendship only women may fully comprehend and appreciate.
Vera Alentova as Katarina (a very beautiful actress, I should add) does a remarkable job of maturing from naivety to professional competence, yet retains an aura of latent vulnerability. Extremely well done. And Irina Muravyova is excellent as the ditsy Lyudmilak, a humorous foil for her more rational side-kicks.
It’s billed as a comedy but I’d classify it more as an affectionate take on young foibles with a realistic dose of bittersweet. True humour cannot entertain you lacking an element of sadness and the process is very effectively employed here. The ending may not sit comfortably with the more cynical in the audience; I felt it was quietly done and true to the theme.
Production values are consistent with 1981 Russia and reflect the environment of the times. But the story concerns the search for fulfilling relationships and the director properly consigns the austerity to the background. The subtitles are fine.
Inappropriate for children. Will appeal to a mature female audience and to guys like me who realize that God quit after designing women, knowing she couldn’t improve on perfection.What a wonderful film! - Moir
This is a film I look forward to being able to see again in the future. It feels humane and kind and yet real as well. What an upper.
The acting, editing, directing make the characters become so vivid and alive .. It is a wonder. I feel four stars is too few to give it but five stars is the very highest rating and I am trying to reserve it (that rating) for the very greatest ... but still this one is so amazingly well done and so enjoyable .... I may come back and make this five stars later ...
I think this is in the group of films I have thoroughly enjoyed, a completely positive wonderful experience to have seen.
Member Reviews
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Warm and Genuine - Stitch
Sentimental, yes. Some archetypes in mostly minor roles, true. Events that are a bit simplistic and predictable...a few. So my reason for the three stars? Although the story proceeds very slowly at first, it works--along the way you become part of the family. ...What a wonderful film! - Moir
This is a film I look forward to being able to see again in the future. It feels humane and kind and yet real as well. What an upper.
The acting, editing, directing make the characters become so vivid and alive .. It is a wonder. I feel four stars ...