User reviews

One of the best films of the 2000s in Russia. And although the film has a torn plot, and in fact one interesting character played by Vitaly Khaev. One of the most interesting moments of films is his monologue. And the ending of the film surprises and makes you think. A good film with meaning, which is so small in Russian cinema.

Very interesting point of view from Kirill Serebrennikov to the theater play of Presnyakov brothers. This picture is definitely above the average movie that made in Russia. Casting is great, every Actor/Actress giving perfect performance. Young and talented Yuriy Chursin playing comic role in very serious way. Movie full of humor and hallucinate animate (black and white) kinda twisted moments that will give to younger audience lots of positive energy. Couple of scenes Monologues actually are unforgettable, Captan in the Japanise restaurant and scene in the swimming pool you'll love it. i'll have to add that movie contains very strong language and some male nudity. Very good cinematography (my opinion) concept is not very clear what makes the whole movie brilliant. This movie you can see not once. I recommend to watch it in a group. It is movie for a genre, because I'm in this genre it is fit for me.

So bottom line if you young have scenes of humor and not afraid of unknown actors (accept of Lia Ahidjakova) this is movie for you.

This is a truly unique movie, tragic, ironic, and hilarious, a noir remake of Shakespeare's Hamlet. The story delves into the tragicomic life of Valya, a loner with a rather special job, he plays the role of the victim in the reconstructions of the murders made by the police. On the scene of the murder, Valya steps into the part of the victim shortly before their death, sometimes risking his own life. When he is home, he gets bombarded with lectures from his mother to settle down in life, also having nightmares and dreams of his father's murder in a very absurd way.

Beyond the moments of absurdness, "Playing the Victim" is a hard- hitting social commentary part psychological drama with minimalistic cinematography. The leading performances are tremendous, worthy to mention the final monologue in the Japanese restaurant. The ending of the film is unsettling role reversal, as Valya veers from falsely charming to downright sinister.

Kirill Serebrennikov's "Playing the victim' is visually great, Hamlet mixed with funnier version of Joseph Losey's "The Servant", it's almost artistic at times, with its complexity of certain shots which will not be registered in the first viewing, simply because you're wrapped up too much into its story and Valya's world.

"Playing the victim" by Kirill Serebrennikov - the best Russian comedy 00s. The story of a student who works part time in the police, portraying the victims of various crimes. Against the background of all the other characters in the film, including police officers, and murderers, and even their victims, the student's character remains the most worthy, normal, and at the same time, not quite fit into this crazy world around. A separate respect for the outstanding actress Leah Akhedzhakova, who played a small role in the film.

It's a beautiful depiction of Russia in the early 00s. It's funny and stupid at times, and the main character is an a-hole, but you end up sympathizing with him, because most of us were a lot like him in our formative years- he reminds me on Shinji Ikari with that. It makes you think, makes you care about the background characters, it works off the ever living conflict of fathers and sons that's so prevalent in Russian art. The scenes are interesting, captivating even for a viewer with a short attention span. Unlike any other work of Serebrennikov- this is probably him at his most genuine and raw.