Love and Doves

There are films you don't just watch-they quietly weave themselves into your life. "Love and Pigeons" is one of them. On the surface, it's just a simple comedy about a village family. But in truth, it's a movie where every line feels familiar down to your fingertips, and every character could just as well be a neighbor from the next street over.

The story begins when the main character, Vasya Kuzyakin, gets a vacation voucher to a seaside resort. Nothing extraordinary, right? Yet this is what sets off a chain of events that turns his life upside down, forcing him to look at family and love in a new way. And it all unfolds not in some pompous manner, but simply, humanly-full of warmth, irony, and, of course, pigeons.

This film has long since broken into quotes. As a child, I heard grown-ups repeating its lines like folk sayings. And it's true- "Love and Pigeons" has become a true people's film. It's not a "film for cinephiles" but a movie-medicine for boredom and melancholy. Want to lift your mood? Put it on, and within five minutes you'll be smiling-or even laughing out loud.

But for all its lightness, it's not "just jokes for the laughs." Beneath the comedy lies a surprisingly deep drama. The characters are alive-full of flaws, quarrels, and struggles. Behind their plain words, you can feel real pain and real love. It's a story about how hard it is to keep a family together-and how essential it is to know how to forgive. It feels like life itself, with all its joys and heartbreaks.

The performances are outstanding. Aleksandr Mikhailov, as the kindhearted but slightly naive Vasya, feels completely natural. Sergey Yursky, as the witty neighbor (the one who "brings terrible news"), is a joy to watch-his monologues both shock and amuse the naïve village crowd. Lyudmila Gurchenko brings spark and irony as the glamorous resort lady, making her character both charming and grotesque. And Nina Doroshina, Yanina Lisovskaya, and Igor Lyakh each leave you with characters impossible to forget.

And then there's Vladimir Menshov. His directing feels like magic without special effects. Everything is so natural, it seems you're not watching a film at all-you're simply watching life. There's no falseness, no artifice. And yes, the doves. They're not just birds, but symbols of home, comfort, and everything we hold dear.

"Love and Pigeons" is a film that's always there. You can turn it on at any time, and it never gets old. It's timeless cinema that reminds us: simple human happiness is not so simple at all-but it's the very thing worth holding onto.

10 out of 10.

It is difficult to describe the touching and warmth that this film gives. Love, funny situations, family care for each other. Wisdom and warmth. ... And of course music! The combination of camera work, humor, music, excellent acting makes the film unforgettable. And there is no reason to remember that the budget of the film is very low.Be sure to watch this movie! He will not make you smarter, but he will make you a little happier.

This is one of those movies whose plot does not tell very much. You need to see it to fully appreciate its perfection. I saw it for the first time in the 1980's. Today, more than a quarter of a century later, the movie looks as fresh and entertaining as before. Those who don't speak Russian lose a lot by not watching this piece of art.

Every character is authentic and original. Sergei Yursky, one of the famous Russian comedians, is especially funny as Dyadya Mitya. Aleksandr Mikhailov, who in most other films plays a macho, here does an outstanding job as a simpleton Vasya. Fortunately, the director balanced well the contribution of Lyudmila Gurchenko, a veteran of the Soviet cinema, with that of the others. After watching the movie you have the feeling that you have lived together with the heroes.

The movie "Love and Doves" is one of my most favorite movies.

Everything is fine in it: the work of the film crew, a well-chosen cast and their game. The music in the film is appropriate and in some moments adds a zest.

For me, this film seemed very vital. The situation described in the film is very similar to reality. The psychotypes of the characters are revealed in detail and selected.

This film reveals the importance of human relationships in life, and also shows very important human qualities-the ability to love and be loved, and of course to forgive. I believe that love is wonderful and everyone deserves to find love!

In the film "Love and Doves", the era of that time is well conveyed and you can plunge into it with your head.

And finally, I want to say that the film awakens the best feelings in me. After all, he is kind and real.

I advise everyone to watch it.

Vladimir Menshov's "Lyubov i golubi" (alternately called "Love and Pigeons" and "Love and Doves" in English) looks at the mishaps that ensue after a family man goes to a resort and has an affair. I understand that, despite the image of the ideal Soviet family man, plenty of men in the USSR had affairs. You can bet money that the same thing was going in the US (trust me, the United States and Soviet Union had more in common than they liked to admit). Basically, Vasiliy is attracted to Raisa's kindness, she to his knowledge, and the movie brings up the issue of whether or not marriage is a form of slavery.

Of course, it's possible to simply laugh at the absurd situation that the movie depicts. I liked it. I wonder what Alfred Hitchcock would have thought of this use of birds in a movie.