This movie is another great foreign film that would have escaped my attention except that a Russian friend had recommended it. It is a cult film in 1975 Soviet Russia centered around their big holiday, New Years Day. The acting is unusually good and the story plot is very believable. The movie is listed as a comedy and that gives away that the outcome is a happy one. How they get there is what makes this a great story. If you don't mind subtitles and listing to a foreign language this is a great movie. There is very limited violence which actually adds to the dilemma of the characters. There is no nudity or obscene language. I recommend this to anyone looking for a light comedy. Vincew9298@hotmail.com
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vincew92985 February 2006
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hte-trasme26 December 2013Apparently this film has been shown every year in Russia for decades, and people there know it by heart. This was my first time seeing it -- without that cultural hyperfamiliarity -- and it was very easy to see why it's so popular -- it's hugely entertaining. It's about three hours long, but hardly felt like an hour.
There's a perfect absurdist farce premise of a man who ends up in an identical prefab apartment with his own at the same address (which also, it has been pointed out, could easily be taken as a comment on the sameness of Soviet architecture of the time). That farce plays out fantastically but then, after the clock has struck 12 on New Year's Eve with our protagonist in the wrong city, we keep following these people and become invested in serious hopelessness of their situations.
In essence, it takes what could be a good basic bedroom farce, arms it with legitimately likable, interesting characters we want to follow, and more or less keeps them in a room overnight. The small cast is a blessing here. It's a winning formula of goofiness crossed with seriousness. The jealous Ippolit, for instance, looks ridiculous showering drunkenly with his clothes on, but when he goes out that way into the freezing night saying that perhaps he wants to catch cold and die the feeling of seriousness dissipates.
Overall, incredibly likable and entertaining. The music is good, and the theme of not boxing life in with rules and accepting happy accidents is welcome. If it's phenomenally popular, I'd say it seems to be rightly so. -
barry_yu5 January 2004I major in Russian. And my teacher showed the movie in class. I love it very much. Eldar Ryazanov is famous in China. We grow up watching his movies. This is absolutely one of his best. Eldar Ryazanov is good at making comedy-drama. This is a must-see if you are interested in the culture and art of Russia (USSR as well). This film is quite long but no boring at all. You would laugh and truly admire the acting skill of Andrei Myagkov when he is tearing up the photo of the fiance of the girl---Naja. He is the best ever actor I have ever seen. This film provided much space for him to show us his acting skill and he did it perfectly. Watch it and have fun = )
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Witold4 January 2006Let me sort out what in this film is Soviet, what is Russian, and what is universal.
Soviet is the background, including the cartoon which precedes the appearance of humans: a man with a tube kills any architect originality, even so innocent as balconies. As a consequence, the same buildings are put up in Artica as well in a southern desert before surprised camels. The Soviet reality is the basis of the plot with identical buildings in different cities. Also the New Year tree rather that the Christmas tree is Soviet. However, as the story unfolds, the Soviet reality recedes into little visible background. An exception is a line in one of the songs: if you do not have a dog, your neighbor cannot poison your dog.
Russian are the beautiful poems which are made into songs. There are also some views of Leningrad, but actually only a few, with the St. Isaac Basilica shown several times from different sides.
The cast and the technical crew are largely Russian, but not only. Obviously Armenian, Georgian and Jewish names are listed. The actress playing Nadya has been imported from Central Europe; Barbara Brylska is a Polish actress, well known also from a number of other movies made in Poland as well as in other countries.
The appeal of the film is truly universal ! This is the reason why viewers from countries so disparate as Latvia, Ukraine and China like this film so much (not to mention Texans). The love-jealousy quadrangle, two mothers, friends of Zhenya and colleagues of Nadya could have lived in many countries around the world. Even the story of the same address could have happened for instance in Germany where practically every city and town has Bahnhofstrasse and Poststrasse.
Finally, the atmosphere of this film is unique - a word which very rarely can be used discussing films. We have seen other films directed by Eldar Ryazanov, all of them good, but none comparable to this one. All that takes place in the film is plausible, it could have happened in reality. At the same time, there is the feeling of poetic, unreal and sublime. These two basically opposed reactions to the film coexist somehow in the viewer; this simply does not happen in movies, films directed by Krzysztof Kieslowski excepted. Irony of the Fate is a truly wonderful film, alive 30 years after being created; it will enchant future generations as well. -
rfed10 August 2000It's strange that I haven't found any comments from Russia or ex-USSR countries. This movie is one of the best Ryazanov's works, although all his films are great and loved very much in Russia. This one has became a traditional part of TV program on the New Year's Eve. Every year on the 31st of December it's on this or that channel. The people would watch it over and over with pleasure and unceasing affection. A lot of phrases and scenes are learned by heart, some of them became aphorisms.
The basis of the plot is rather funny. One guy gets drunk together with his friends and by mistake takes his friend's flight to Leningrad. It turns out then, that in Leningrad there exists the same address as his in Moscow. Moreover, the tenements are identical and even the key fits to the apartment door. Here starts the real fun, then the drama emerges out of the comedy, gradually growing and replacing the fun. Perhaps, it's the perfect and fine balance between comedy and drama, and the accurate development and transformation of one genre into the other which wouldn't make one bored with this movie and would make him wish to watch it again and again.
I would recommend to non-russian spectators other Ryazanov's movies as well and also those of Gaidai made in 60's and 70's. -
amlover5 October 1999Okay, so I'm in love with Andrey Mjagkov, but all that aside, you've simply gotta love this movie. It's funny, it makes you feel good. Somewhat far-fetched plot (I won't give it away, just go watch it), but the acting is great, the directing is great, the music is great, the singing is great. Unlike most Russian movies it does not leave you with a sense of impending doom and in a state of utter depression. It will leave you with a whole new view of Russian film and Russian life (that's if you're not Russian and don't already have a very unique view). Watch it! Trust me!
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atolstoy25 February 2000I've been told that this film is shown every New Year's Eve in Russia, and there is no doubt why. It is exquisitely romantic, appropriately funny and symbolizes the best of Russia. It's sentimentally touches a heart string in everyone and its seeming lack of reality only makes it more realistic. With a fantastic soundtrack and some beautiful poetry, you truly have not seen a good film until you have seen this. I could watch it again and again and.....
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Max-2067 August 2002This is a great film.
First of all it's a great story that combines elements of subtle satire, romance, and at times laugh-outloud comedy into a farcical love triangle.
Second is the great acting. Andrei Myagkov simply delivers a character who undergoes significant, yet somehow believable transformation from a shy, nerdy young doctor to a bold, at times arrogant, yet at the same time romantic man. A great comic performance by Yuri Yakovlev, as the jealous fiance of the heroine, alone makes the film worth watching, to the last moments.
The 3rd element is the music and poetry. The songs are an important part of narration, not just there for a backdrop. The song lyrics and the poetry are by some of the most prominent Russian poets of the Silver Age and are just plain beautiful. In short this an amazing film, one of those that can be watched over and over.
Finally, if you don't speak Russian, check this film on DVD(NTSC). I recently got it and was very impressed by the quality of translation offered by the subtitles, which provide translation of the songs as well as the dialogue. -
It is New Year's Eve in Moscow and Zhenya is about to get married. To celebrate his upcoming nuptials and to ring in the new year, he and his friends get drunk at the local bathhouse. Calamity ensues after Zhenya accidentally flies to Leningrad, a city he cannot distinguish from his own in his intoxicated state. By chance, his address matches an apartment identical to his own, and his key fits in the door. There, fate introduces Zhenya to the owner of the apartment, Nadya, as well as her uptight fiancé Ippolit. Will love bloom in Nadya's standard Soviet apartment, or does fate have other plans in store for Zhenya?
Directed by Eldar Ryazanov and written alongside Emil Braginsky, 'The Irony of Fate, or Enjoy Your Bath!' is a warmly entertaining romantic-comedy that also serves as a sharp satire on the soulless uniformity of the Soviet urban landscape. Much like Ryazanov's later 'Office Romance,' the film paints a stark depiction of Moscow and Leningrad during the so-called "Era of Stagnation", and like the latter film; mines the socio-economic and architectural maladies of the period for comedic gold.
Beginning with a humorous cartoon detailing the burgeoning homogenisation of the Soviet terrain, and continuing to satirize various aspects of 70's era Soviet life- from the furniture to the locks- Ryazanov's film is a criticism of drab architecture, identical apartments and cold cityscapes that people from any nation can identify with. Vladimir Nakhabtsev's naturalistic cinematography emphasises the sameness of the locales, which the production design and I. Fyodorov's set decoration only bolsters. Despite this satirical strength, though, the film is also- and perhaps primarily- a most unlikely and well-acted love story that should warm the cockles of even the iciest heart.
'The Irony of Fate, or Enjoy Your Bath!' finds Andrey Mayakov starring as Zhenya, alongside Barbara Brylska as Nadya and Yury Yakovlev as Ippolit. Mayakov delivers a delightfully impassioned performance, remaining charmingly convincing whether comically drunk or serenading the audience on the guitar. He and Brylska share a warm, seemingly genuine chemistry that makes watching them together a real treat.
Throughout the film, the Polish-born Brylska is terrific, remaining both beguiling and sympathetic. Voiced by Valentina Talyzina- who appears in the film herself as one of Nadya's friends- the character of Nadya has to deal with a strange situation to say the least, and Brylska keeps things from getting too farcical with her down-to-earth performance and easy charm. Whether singing the great Mikael Tariverdiev songs- through the voice of Alla Pugacheva- or attempting to juggle two suitors at the same time; she enthrals. For his part, the great Yury Yakovlev never sets a foot wrong in the role of Ippolit, bringing his uptight mannerisms to life perfectly, whilst remaining humorous and empathetic.
Regardless of one's agreement with Ryazanov's critique of the 70's era Soviet landscape as a soulless one, or one's belief in fate; 'The Irony of Fate, or Enjoy Your Bath!' is a funny and thoroughly entertaining experience. Well-written, strongly acted and featuring striking visuals from Vladimir Nakhabtsev- as well as a stirring score from Mikael Tariverdiev- Eldar Ryazanov's 'The Irony of Fate, or Enjoy Your Bath!' is one of the finest gems in Mosfilm's crown. -
This film has celebrated its 30th anniversary on this 2006 New Year Eve, and there was a special programme about the creation of the film, actors etc. Apparently, the whole country (then USSR) watched it when it was first shown in 1976, and they wanted to see if the rating would be the same 30 years later. I have to say, I have been watching this film religiously since early teens every New Year and when I moved to live in the UK, the video recording of "Ironiya" was one of the essential items I brought with me. It's one of those films that I can watch over and over again, instant mood lifter, and I just can't imagine my New Year day / eve without it, and a bottle of "Soviet" champagne, and Russian salad, and the proverbial Jellied fish that Ippolit referred to as "muck" (I think the closest translation I can think of). On my way back from Moscow to London in Janaury, I tried to purchase a DVD copy in the airport but was told by the assistant that they are permanently sold out!!!
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IceCream_in_Lubyanka3 August 2019It's a good movie with a rather simple plot. My main problem is that for the last forty years, in the last calendar day of December, this movie is on all Russian TV channels. If you are a Russian, you pretty much have the plot engraved in your subconsciousness, whether you like it or not.
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If you didn't know that the Russians could do satire, you have to see this film, which is an irreverent look at all the mass-production and lack of individuality which went with the Communist system and which form the basis for the series of misunderstandings which would be impossible elsewhere. A genuine love story, loads of fun as well and the most stunning views of St Petersburg in the Winter. There's a lot of dialogue, so your Russian needs to be up to scratch if you see it in the original, and it's a long film but worth every minute.
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This is an awful movie. Here's the story: the shy middle-aged surgeon Zhenya Lukashin lives in Moscow and plans to marry for the first time in his life. He tells his girlfriend Katya that he was going to marry another woman a few years ago, but on the very last moment he fled to Leningrad because he didn't really want to be married. Jerk alert! He half-heartedly tells Katya that he won't do that to her.
On New Year's Eve, he goes to the sauna with his friends and gets drunk. He soon forgets that he has a fiancée. One of his friends has to go to Leningrad to celebrate New Year with his significant other. He and Lukashin are so drunk they fall asleep, while the other two friends don't remember who is supposed to fly. So they stuff Lukashin into a plane.
He arrives in Leningrad and is helped off the plane by a grumpy fellow passenger. He annoys and embarrasses another passenger with his stupid drunk behavior and takes a cab home. He almost pisses himself and calls for his mother, before miraculously opening the door with his own key. He has no idea what happened and falls asleep. (the context here is that the Soviet state built lots of identical-looking houses, gave the streets in different cities the same names and that people had similar-looking stuff in their homes. Never mind that this is the definition of an industrialized country).
Somewhat later, the home's owner, Nadya, returns. She is blonde, tall, slim and pretty. She is shocked to find a drunk stranger in her bed and tries to remove him, but barely manages to make him understand what happened before her own fiancé, Ippolit, arrives. Ippolit is serious and old-fashioned. He doesn't believe the story about how Lukashin ended up in Leningrad and opened Nadya's door with his key. He thinks Nadya is cheating on him and leaves in anger.
Nadya and Lukashin get to know each other and fall in love. Nadya turns out to be a teacher of Russian language and literature and tells that she had an affair with a married man for 10 years. Ippolit loses all respect for himself and is entertains suicidal thoughts. As for Katya, we don't even learn what happens to her.
I used to like this movie when I was younger but now it makes me sick. The actors who play Nadya and Zhenya are blonde and angelic-looking, while Katya and Ippolit are depicted as dark, sour, old-fashioned and repulsive. The message is clear: it's a virtue to be at the mercy of your impulses like a leaf in the wind. It means that you're a child of Eden, whose soul hasn't been corrupted by our sick society. Conversely, being sober, conscientious, concerned and reliable, trying to control yourself and your life, having expectations from yourself and from others, makes you a miserable sellout who needs to be put in their place. Expect a friendly punishment from your friends, who are trying to help you. It's for your own good. Never resist any impulse, whether from within or without, whether your own or other people's. Whatever comes your way, be nice and go along with it.
The movie contradicts itself by depicting society as controlling and repressive and forgetting about this fact when it suits the story. In 1970, the Soviet government made passport checks mandatory on planes, so it was impossible to travel with somebody else's ticket in 1975. Even before that, drunk individuals weren't allowed to travel by plane. And why didn't Nadya call the police when she discovered a drunk stranger in her bed? Also, it's impossible for somebody this drunk to sober up in 2- 3 hours.
There's nothing original about the story. Weak, clueless, selfish losers have always tried to make themselves look humble, sensitive, spiritual, artistic and philosophical, while trying to make hard-working and responsible people feel stupid and guilty for being "boring".
In my opinion, the only good things about his movie are the song "Over my street" by Alla Pugacheva and the poem in the end. Everything else is saccharine, mind-numbing propaganda for stupidity, selfishness and depravity. -
...we rent "S legkim parom!" and watch it. The film is on the long side, but it's perfect for New Year's Eve. I personally think this is a classic of Russian comedies. Very funny, and at the same time somewhat sad as well. The film has become legendary in Russia, so it might be a little hard for foreigners to understand, much like it's hard for people outside the US to understand all those Christmas films. It's great, though--every time I watch it, it just makes me think of the holidays and feel happy inside.
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aktheman210 January 2006Watch it every year. It is a very entertaining, funny, romantic and beautiful movie, with great songs and great acting. It is about a man who accidentally ends up in the wrong city and is convinced another's apartment is his, this leads to much chaos and hilarity. The movie changes people's perspective to love and life, and portrays the soviet world of the time. Since it is an all Russian movie, nothing here can be considerred inaccurate or impossible, and this makes for a more realistic experience. In Conclusion, i suggest that before every new year everyone should go to a sauna to commemorate the tradition this movie enforced.
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bilqreto8 January 2009I take this film as a symbol of the great Russian film factory. I am a half-Russian so I am one of those who can't imagine the New Year's Eve without watching this movie.
This is maybe the reason I can't say much about actor's performance, plot quality etc. - I just don't look at this film from this point of view. Of course it's one successfully made movie, otherwise it wouldn't be so adored by the Russian-speaking public.
What I can say for sure is that this is a must-see for everyone who wants to discover for himself why this movie has won such public attention and continues being played each and every 31-st of December. It fulfills all the aspects of a quality-time film: romance, comedy, catching storyline and most importantly - unique atmosphere.
No wonder they filmed a remake 30 years after the appearance of the original which continues the well-known story in a wonderful day starring many of the main actors that apperared 30 years ago.
Be sure to have at least a look at it. It will do everything else for you. -
I love this movie. I watch it every 31st December with my family, and when I'm feeling down, I will put it on (even in the Summer, despite the movie being about New Year's Eve) and it'll instantly make me feel better.
The film, however, most probably, wouldn't be understood by the average foreigner. Let me explain..
Zhenya and his friends have a tradition of going to the "banya" (like a public bathing place) as a tradition every 31st of December. The celebration of Zhenya's engagement leads to all four men getting completely drunk. The dilemma, however, is that one of these men has to fly to Leningrad to celebrate New Year's Eve with his wife. By mistake, they send Zhenya to Leningrad. Being completely blacked out, Zhenya does not remember the flight or him getting a taxi when already in Leningrad. Coinsidently, the street on which Zhenya lives in Moscow exists in Leningrad as well. Zhenya, barely able to walk, enters the apartment building and makes his way up onto the 4th floor and opens the door with his key, and, without hesitating, makes himself comfortable and falls asleep on what he thinks is his bed.
A few minutes later, Nadya, a beautiful Russian woman, enters this same apartment - only it is really hers. Naturally, she is shocked to find a drunk stranger asleep on her bed. And her fiancé, who arrives shortly after, isn't thrilled to see drunk Zhenya either. The chemistry between Nadya and Zhenya grows as events begin to unravel...
The average foreigner will probably ask - "How is it possible that the apartment building and the apartment itself is identical to the one in Moscow? How could he even open the door with his key?" In Soviet times, buildings were built almost identically. There was no individuality. Flats looked the same. The furniture was the same. And, by luck, the key matched perfectly as well, although not surprisingly.
Anyway, this is a brilliantly funny, at times sad, film. It is a must see to anyone who is at least mildly interested in Russian people, culture or just the Russian way of life. -
zentist-563-97698612 September 2022I had never heard of this movie until I saw the recent US film that was apparently based on the Irony of Fate. The new one was disappointing but i still figured i would check out the original to see if it was any good. I am glad I did.
The Irony of Fate is very theatrical in that most of the movie in filmed in a small Soviet era apartment (basically a stage) and there are repeated knocks at the door as various secondary characters appear and then disappear. Just like in a theater production with people coming on stage from the wings and heading out the same way.
So we are facing a very intimate work with no serious attempt at realism and that is fine. It is a comedy and works on many levels.
There are three main characters. The protagonist (who gets drunk and ends up in someone else´s apartment by mistake. The owner of the apartment (who is the love interest) and the boyfriend of this very attractive but rather sad lady.
It is hard to explain how funny the movie is without giving spoilers so i will limit myself to saying there are various repeating hooks, some physical comedy, a number of musical interludes with deep or dark lyrics and a steady but relentless development of the romantic relationship between the romantic leads.
In summary, a very enjoyable and very theatrical movie. -
joncheskin1 January 2018I just got back from a New Year's Eve party where my Russian host gave a screening of The Irony of Fate, a movie I had never seen before. Apparently, everybody in Russia watches it every year on New Year's eve, and it is easy to see why. This movie is a terrific romantic comedy that is touching, thoughtful and hilarious.
It is tough to describe the plot without dumping some spoilers, but the main idea is that a young man from Moscow on his wedding day goes to a public bath with some of his friends (he explains several times in the movie that it is a tradition), has a few drinks, and accidentally ends up on a plane to Leningrad. He is so drunk that he does not realize he is in a different city and gets a taxi ride to what he thinks is his own apartment. He goes in and falls asleep only to be discovered by a beautiful woman, who actually lives in the apartment. What happens next has to be seen to be believed.
The plot seems far fetched, but is clearly a satire of the cookie-cutter life that people led in the old Soviet Union--all the apartments were the same I guess, to the point where a guy would not realize that he was not in his own place if sufficiently drunk. From there the movie is surprisingly realistic, and the chemistry between the leads is outstanding. This movie is a great view into Soviet culture, and an awesome evening of entertainment. -
ievapudure21 September 2005as watching this movie has become a tradition each new year in Latvia (ex soviet country) i have seen it a lot of times and enjoyed each time. i think that this movie gives a wonderful time while watching and really amazes with the sense of humor. The title is more than perfect for this movie! Another thing that amazes me is the way how the system of Soviet Union is shoved. All the situations are unpredictable.. and one can really enjoy the characters and the way how they solute their problems.. i really think that people who will watch it, will enjoy it. of course the quality might not be as good as nowadays, but respect- this movie is more than 25 years old! so- go on folks- and watch it!
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Have seen it many times on TV before New Year, and it is a huge question for me, where is romantic a love in this movie. All characters seems to have miserable life before story begins. And story begins and develops only because characters are drunk or deadly drunk from time to time. Looks like the main idea - go get drunk and you will meet your spouse. And after showing this alcoholic comedy to kids and adults for decades we wonder why we have alcoholic epidemic... Should be banned from Prime Time and have rate "adults only" since contained scenes of alcohol drinking.
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nealgetz14 April 2000This is a great movie. If you've ever spent any time in Russia, you know that the premise is not too far-fetched, considering the post-war Soviet cookie-cutter construction techniques. I wish I could watch it every New Year.
Can anyone tell me if an English version--preferably subtitled, but I'd settle for dubbed--is available? -
sven_vd_hulst1 March 2018This is the first Russian movie I ever saw. But it's hilarious in a Laurel and Hardy kind of way, but then more modern. What i like the most is the moments of total misunderstanding because the storyline in itself is of course very unbelievable. But the way how this movie is making full use of this fact of disbelief and anger and love and hate and miscommunication is brilliant!
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cosmin74200017 February 2019This is without any doubt the best romance comedy ever done,with the best direction , the best story , the best acting.
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Anastasia9728 December 2022This is probably one of the last relatable movies ever made. American parady was a complete failure. Whoever sold them the original plot should be fired. I hope Eldar's estate got paid for this pathetic theft of an iconic idea that can only be understood by the people of the former USSR. This movie was amazing, warm, real and explored relationships that will never be understood by the american public. Much is lost in the translation and unfamiliar surroubdings that this movie portrayed. There was no fakeness, useless words, no entitlement. It was just innocent, real and extinct human connection.