Piter FM

This movie is the epitome of a modern Russian romance. I saw it while studying abroad in St. Petersburg. It really captures the feel of that great city, as well as having a very Russian take on love and friendship. It's a movie that probably wouldn't be good in translation, but if you can watch it in Russian, I highly recommend it. It's really fun to look for all your favorite spots in Piter as they show up in the film, and at the same time grow to love and understand Maxim and Masha as they deal with their emotional upheavals. As my friend Nadya said, by the end, they don't even necessarily have to be in love. Finding that human connection, that friendship, is all that's really necessary.

At last this film is on IMDb. A wonderful debut by a new name in Russian film directing - Oksana Bychkova. Romantic comedy Piter FM falls into a category of so-called "films for mood". The joy of living, the feeling of approaching love... and the beautiful city as one of the main "actors".

The plot is simple. Masha is a radio DJ living in Russian "northern capital" St-Petersburg. She is going to marry her old school mate. Wedding dresses, cars, flowers - that's her everyday trouble. Running in a hurry to meet her bride who would arrange another very important thing for the marriage, she loses a phone, and a young architect Maksim finds it. Maksim is about to leave for Germany in a few days, but he tries to give the phone back to its owner - several times arranging meetings but with no success...

First of all, the movie is beautifully shot. Piter (St-Petersburg) is a wonderful city with fantastic architecture. In the film, the city is bright, moving, a city with a smile - sometimes kind, sometimes sad or ironical. Don't try to analyze the film, you just have to feel it. It's like music, like an impressionistic picture - the main thing is to capture a short moment, to live for the moment and to enjoy.

After this film I finally made up my mind to go and see this wonderful city.

P.S. Andrey Krasko - RIP. One of his last roles, a very short one but really impressing.

Someone explain to these two, that the phones they hold in their hands, can also be used to call people if someone is late for an appointment.

This movie falls into the category of great date movies: it's romantic and sweet enough for the women, and has enough humor and Russian bizarreness to sustain the men. Add to the mix a terrific soundtrack, tasteful cinematography, and an optimistic, life- and love-affirming plot - there's something for everyone.

More than just a story of young love, this is a valentine to St. Petersburg and its people. The city and its inhabitants are lovingly (if sometimes ironically) portrayed. While the male protagonist's dilemma - to leave or not to leave - is fairly typical for upwardly mobile Russians, with a fairly typical result (to leave, of course), the film tells us that there are plenty of reasons to stay and be happy with that choice. From beautiful buildings with centuries-old history to pretty girls in mini-skirts, there are many reasons to like St. Petersburg.

While by no means original (similar plot device of star-crossed lovers being connected in many ways and not realizing it until the fateful meeting has been explored by other movies, including Happenstance with Audrey Tautou), Piter FM is refreshing enough to stand out among the same old-same old of romantic comedies.

This is a very light-hearted movie. The plot and characters are rather predictable, but it leaves a good impression, at least it did for me. For some reason, probably because of the camera work and the story, I had an impression that I was watching a Russian version of "Amelie". I think I enjoyed the beautiful St. Petersburg's scenery and minor characters (like Vladimir Mashkov playing a strange man in a one-minute episode) than the main story. Some small episodes are quite funny. For example, a policeman stops than main hero (Maxim) to check documents and asks among other things: "Firearms? Illegal drugs?" "No, thanks," Maxim replies. This movie shows a different Russia from what you may be used to. Good movie to watch with a date.