A fine comedy and lots of sharp points for real Russian mentality. In the latter part some of mystified past of the girl was over stretched and the end became more serious for the beginning.

Return of the VHS movies from 80's. Spinning magazine and newspaper covers over the world map with top destinations?

Tries for a multicultural gravitas that its completely predictable European arthouse styling cannot supply.

* It is not a boring watch but has some really over the top (in a bad way) moments that didn't make sense, sometimes over dramatical, sometimes boring.. But yeah, generally it was ok.

a film do not pause music. a film with romantism comedy and dram written on notes..

Some of the comical parts are a little bit over the top, which effects the -in potential- good story. I agree with frederic_g54 that it are the characters and the music that keep the film going. I think it would have been stronger as a drama rather than a comedy. The movie gives a nice, comical portrait of after-Sovjet Russia, though. I love the part where the Russian millionaire, proud of his cello playing, hears his mother say: why didn't you buy a football club instead?

Perfect!

I loved how they called for freedom by playing music.

"Milhaileanu has attempted%u2014and, I think, fairly successfully%u2014to turn Tchaikovsky into something slicker, more lustrous, and scintillating than his music is or ought to be experienced as." - Ricky D'Ambrose

Nice surprise to me, I must say, this is. Although if russian stereotype wouldn't be so overexaggerated, would be really great. Most of comical elements are somehow forced and there are few serious holes in plot that cannot be missed. But on the other hand I can hardly say anything bad about acting since all flaws are in script not in performance. Despite all mentioned I enjoyed it. I'd recommend it if you're looking for something between comedy and drama, without stressing your brains too much.

What I love about this film is that even with its heavy (and enjoyable) dose of culture-clash comedy and caper antics, it never loses or forgets its passion for music, and desire to show a legendary piece played, pure and unabridged, by a full classical orchestra. The final scene, where the concert is played and history and truth are wordlessly communicated between the two central characters, is moving and extremely beautiful.

Unfocused at times (especially the story), the characters and music are what kept this film going. I haven't seen "Va, Vis et Deviens" in a while but I remember it being superior to this one, so yeah, not bad, but not great either.