It has been a great pleasure re-starting my "watching Soviet/Russian films" quest (especially fantasy and animation) and becoming acquainted with ones not yet seen, the same going for the original stories that some are adapted from. Did it a lot in 2013 and 2014, a great way of coping with stress, and wanted to relive those fond memories. A lot of the Soviet films seen recently have been fantasy and often the surreal kind with touches of comedy. This has been especially true in the films of Aleksandr Rou.
Have seen almost all of them and have really liked to loved them all, though there will be those who will find them too weird. Not me, find them very imaginatively done, they are charming, the surrealism is a healthy dose but not excessive and the comedy touches in his films genuinely amuse. His most atypical and accessible, and also one of his best, is his adaptation of Prokoviev's ballet with the involvement of Bolshoi 'Cinderella'. It is a shame that non-Russian viewers know him best from the riffing of 'Morozko' ('Frosty'), to me that was not a bad film at all but to say that the dubbing doesn't do it justice is an understatement, very similar to the films of Aleksandr Ptushko.
'The Night Before Christmas' is another Rou adaptation based on the stories of Nikolai Gogol, having seen 1952's 'May Nights' recently and loving it. The film is based on Gogol's first story in the second volume of his "Evenings on a Farm Near Dikanka", known as both 'Christmas Eve' and 'The Night Before Christmas'. Although it is higher rated than 'May Nights', there is actually a preference for that film, which to me was a little better paced and more focused in story. Not that 'The Night Before Christmas' does either badly, just that 'May Nights' does it a little better for my tastes.
Getting the short-comings out of the way, the story is a slight one anyway in the first place and there are times in the film where one can tell where at times the pace feels a little draggy and padded.
Some of the sound effects are on the overwrought side and the latter parts of the film is not always as easy to follow as what came before.
Conversely, 'The Night Before Christmas' holds up well visually. Even if the sky is obviously painted, the sets are handsome enough and still evoke a sense of wonder, whether dreamy or macabre. Really made me want to be there, and this is complemented by the quite lavish photography, that is never too flashy or overblown nor simplistic or static and beautiful use of colour. The practical effects similarly are imaginatively done, have a charm and don't look cheap, the film doesn't overuse them and uses them when necessary. The music score is a mix of eccentric, whimsical, romantic and haunting, while not being at odds with what is going on.
The comedy is generally very funny and at its best hilarious, without being overdone to the point of being cartoony, while the quieter moments are charming even if they slow the film down slightly. It never feels over-complicated, yet never feels simplistic at the same time. Rou's direction is controlled and doesn't feel too heavy while also keeping things engaging. 'The Night Before Christmas' is not always easy to follow in the latter stages, but the surrealism didn't feel over the top and the more macabre elements are darkly unsettling while not being too scary. Didn't feel that the film was too stagy.
Found myself enjoying the characters, with the Devil being the most enjoyable and entertaining, a very memorable creation. The acting suits them well, on the theatrical side at times (not uncommon in a Rou film, or Russian fantasy), but didn't find them irritating or bland in any way.
In summary, very nice fantasy if not quite a classic, also feel that Rou has done better films. 8/10
