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The Elder Son

  • 2006
  • R
  • 1h 27m
IMDb RATING
5.5/10
528
YOUR RATING
Leelee Sobieski, Rade Serbedzija, and Shane West in The Elder Son (2006)
ComedyDrama

A story of a Russian clarinetist living in Los Angeles, whose life changes when a young local car thief passes himself off as his long-lost son.A story of a Russian clarinetist living in Los Angeles, whose life changes when a young local car thief passes himself off as his long-lost son.A story of a Russian clarinetist living in Los Angeles, whose life changes when a young local car thief passes himself off as his long-lost son.

  • Director
    • Marius Vaysberg
  • Writers
    • Scott Sturgeon
    • Aleksandr Vampilov
    • Marius Vaysberg
  • Stars
    • Shane West
    • Leelee Sobieski
    • Eric Balfour
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    5.5/10
    528
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Marius Vaysberg
    • Writers
      • Scott Sturgeon
      • Aleksandr Vampilov
      • Marius Vaysberg
    • Stars
      • Shane West
      • Leelee Sobieski
      • Eric Balfour
    • 3User reviews
    • 2Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • Photos77

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    Top cast23

    Edit
    Shane West
    Shane West
    • Bo
    Leelee Sobieski
    Leelee Sobieski
    • Lolita
    Eric Balfour
    Eric Balfour
    • Skip
    Rade Serbedzija
    Rade Serbedzija
    • Max
    Reiley McClendon
    Reiley McClendon
    • Nikita
    Regina Hall
    Regina Hall
    • Susan
    Brian Geraghty
    Brian Geraghty
    • Greg
    Ed Begley Jr.
    Ed Begley Jr.
    • Leonard
    Elya Baskin
    Elya Baskin
    • Uncle Fedya
    Svetlana Efremova
    Svetlana Efremova
    • Vera
    Ivana Milicevic
    Ivana Milicevic
    • Tanya
    Joel David Moore
    Joel David Moore
    • Kenny
    • (as Joel Moore)
    Alan Blumenfeld
    Alan Blumenfeld
    • Mr. Kleeman
    Michael Rose
    Michael Rose
    • Mom's Boyfriend
    • (as Michael Edward Rose)
    Kathleen Gati
    Kathleen Gati
    • Fedya's Wife
    Inna Swann
    Inna Swann
    • Banya Waitress
    Momcilo 'Momo' Nikolic
    • Gypsy Band Leader
    Lisa Milena Simikic
    • Gypsy Singer
    • Director
      • Marius Vaysberg
    • Writers
      • Scott Sturgeon
      • Aleksandr Vampilov
      • Marius Vaysberg
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews3

    5.5528
    1
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    9
    10

    Featured reviews

    8TheAnimalMother

    Underrated Mature Family Comedy

    This really is a cute and mostly convincing little comedy. And you could almost call it a partial crime-drama as well, or tragic comedy at least but not overly tragic. Mostly it's a feel good film. It's playful, and definitely for a mature audience, but definitely very suitable for watching with other mature family members or friends. The film is very cute, fun and mostly very down home feeling. The acting is great for the most part, and so is the Russian immigrant atmosphere the film often has. It's a unique film for the most part, much different than your average Hollywood release at least. I think that's partly why I enjoyed it. The film was sort of familiar, but yet not so much, leaving you wanting to see how things turn out no matter your overall interest level in the subjects, or even in the main plot. The film is a loose reversion of the Alexander Vampilov Russian hit play from 1969. He died at only 34 years of age, but his plays have been performed from Moscow to London, and all the way to the USA. If you want a fun, warm hearted slice of life comedy. This is a good choice in my view. I'd probably rate it a 7.5 out of 10 really if I could, but since it's mostly been underrated so far in my view, I'll give it an 8. Usually I round down when it comes to films, but sometimes I feel generous. :)
    10mermedia-85603

    I liked it!

    I'm a big Shane West fan after watching 'A walk to Remember'. I think he was great in this movie as well. Wish they had of cast him in more Romantic Commedies. The movie made me interested in Russians (I think they are Ukraine). It's kind of like 'My Big Fat Greek Wedding', sort of brings you into a new culture. Well I gotta type 5 lines or I can't submit, so i think that's it!! Enjoy the movie - I did!
    5shabunc

    An awful film adaptation of an genial play

    Be warned, there's a much, much stronger movie based on the same play. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0073743/

    This is not that I'm not into remakes, but it's just bad. Everything is bad - music (balalaikas - of course, such a fresh choice, violins), acting. The depiction of Russian emigrants is so stereotypic that this even surprises - but which is way more surprising is that they are emigrants at all. The thing is that the play is about human relationships and the story can be told about an old man with ruined life of literally any nationality. He could be 100% WASP American, he could be an African American, he could be whoever, but being a very lubberly depicted Russian emigrant - well, this actually just distracts.

    Which is an excellent yet sad example of how even a genial play can be ruined.

    Once again, watch the movie I've gave link to. It is masterpiece congenial to the play.

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    Storyline

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    Did you know

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    • Connections
      Version of Az elsöszülött (1974)

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    FAQ

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • March 30, 2009 (South Korea)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • The Optimist
    • Production companies
      • 2 Loop Films
      • A Russian Bear Production LLC
      • Departure Studios
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 27 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.78 : 1

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