Gentlemen of Fortune

A mix of crime drama and broad comedy, it works surprisingly well in both regards. The plot is a bit silly but stays true to itself and the characters are sincerely sympathetic and enjoyable to watch.

A comedy crime caper which works well due to the simplicity of its structure and plot events, and the absurdity of the situations its characters stumble into. I'll admit I didn't find much of it all that funny (men dress as ugly women? ok...) but the blatant humorous intentions of everything are certainly not lost in translation. Leonov has the charisma and screen presence to somehow carry this for 90 minutes.

A trio of criminals steal a helmet that belonged to Alexander the Great and are promptly caught and thrown in jail. They managed to his the helmet before being caught, so the police recruit a kindergarten teacher who looks exactly like their leader to impersonate him. The three escape from jail and ... hi jinks ensue? This was apparently one of the most popular comedies ever made in the Soviet Union. It's fine. I don't think it makes a lot of sense or is particular funny, but it's fine.

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