Taxi Blues
by Pavel Lungin
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Product details
Actor: Hal Singer, Natalya Kolyakanova, Pyotr Mamonov, Pyotr Zaychenko, Vladimir KashpurDirector: Pavel Lungin
Edition: VHS Tape
Audio: English (Subtitled); Russian (Original Language), Analog
Format: Color, NTSC, Subtitled
Running Time: 100 minutes
Release Date: 1998-01-01
Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Publisher: New Yorker Video
Studio: New Yorker Video
VHS Movie Reviews of Taxi Blues
Movie Review: Night falls on Moscow
Summary: 5 Stars
It is too bad this film doesn't get better treatment than on video. It was one of the first films to emerge from post-Soviet Russia, capturing the waning days of the former empire in the strange relationship between a taxi driver and a jazz musician, who becomes an indentured servent to pay off his fare after a long night out on the town. While the film mostly deals with the characters in human terms, you can't help but draw allusions to the collapsing Soviet Union and a forlorn Moscow, which no longer believes in tears. Lyosha is a saxophonist who has seen better days, and now finds himself mostly serving as the amusement for others. Shlykov is a crusty taxi driver, who seems drawn from the pages of Bulgakov. Just as things can't seem to get any worse in this darkly comic relationship, Lyosha finds himself playing a studio session with Hal Singer, an important (if somewhat unknown) American jazz musician. While Lyosha's fortunes turn for the better, as he follows Singer back to America, Shlykov finds himself still driving the same dead-end streets when he sees a sign advertising Lyosha's triumphant return to Moscow. The movie takes a very quixotic turn at this point, but ultimately is a very satisfying film.Movie Review: The Artist and The Layman
Summary: 5 Stars
I disagree with most reviewers, this movie isn't about politics, Russia, etc at all.
The movie is about the Artist and the Layman, about materialism and spirituality, about creatures who crawl and creatures who fly, about the weak sensitive soul and the strong but dull soul. These two intersect, influence each other and form a paradoxial partnership. The two main characters go through a 180 degree transformation and go back.
I think it's one of the most amazing works of the Russian cinama in the 90's. Petr Mamonov, a true musician, is playing himself and his performance is stellar.
Movie Review: Russia's painful transition away form communism
Summary: 4 Stars
Pavel Lounguine's "Taxi Blues" personifies the painful transition of Russia from communism to whatever it is they have ended up having over there in two men who have one of those chance meetings that changes one of them forever. Pyotr Zajchenko as Shchlikov represents the old Russia: he is hard working, rather dour and brutish, and misses communism. While driving his taxi cab one night he meets Liocha (Pyotr Mamonov), symbolizing the new Russia: he is at least irresponsible if not insane, an alcoholic, and a musician obviously influence by the decadent West. Their "friendship" forces Shchlikov to reassess his entire life. Even if you do not read "Taxi Blues" as an allegory, it is a compelling tale of a man forced to face brutal truths. Certainly a depressing film, but the emotions are justified because nobody every promised life would be fair.Movie Review: Fantastic music, under reality
Summary: 5 Stars
It opened me new world of sax. The power of music and psichological drama. It was shock... It was the new view. This is not a biography about sax genius and taxi driver. Who can watch this movie? If You know russian culture, not from Anna Karenina or Idiot(if You read this in English on any other, not russian language) and not from american movies like "Red Hot" or "Rocky", but deeper and not as something foreigh. Aslo Sax music fanatics and professionals.Movie Review: Oh, it's not THAT Bad...
Summary: 3 Stars
Yes, I agree that this movie is rather depressing, but still has some merits. Americans would especially dislike its level of Over Realism. As they say in Hollywood, it is like "Leaving Las Vegas" meets "The People vs Larry Flynt," if you can imagine that. In a very strange way it trys to be Patriotic to the old Soviet culture, as it conflicts with Post-Soviet western ideals. At many times the conflicts become rather humourous and insightful. The attempt to portray Americans in this movie totally falls apart with the fake stereotype accents and personalities, but again it adds humour to see how others view us. I think it would be difficult to understand this movie if you have not studied Fine Art or Literature. It follows the Classical Romantic lines of 2 desperate characters, lost in a world of innocence, while everything falls apart around them. Despite the realism, they are not able to see the reality of their own existence, and in turn become frustrated by it.
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