Smillas_sister

Other reviewers have already left excellent reviews. One thing I'd like to point out though is that this story is NOT based on Beauty and the Beast. Just like the story of Cinderella has various versions in folk cultures spanning from China to Iceland, the fable of Beauty and the Beast is also an ancient mythological storyline to which every nation eventually added its own twist.

In this case, the Russian folklorist Sergei Aksakov recorded The Scarlet Flower in mid-1850s "as told by my housekeeper Pelagea". Aksakov claimed he remembered her tale since his early childhood. This explains all the plot deviations from the version known to the Western reader as their own traditional fairy tale of Beauty and the Beast.

The animation does full justice to his story and still remains one of the most popular Soviet animation films today.

A truly Dickensian satirical comedy featuring vignettes from the mid-19th century life in the Russian Empire.

Misha Balzaminov is a hapless, poorly paid young clerk who spends all his spare time daydreaming about finding himself a rich bride. Assisted in this task by his simple-minded mother and her friend the matchmaker, he embarks on his search which puts him in a number of side-splittingly embarrassing situations. The young man's greedy and selfish character is tempered by his naivete and by the natural charm of the leading actor (Georgy Vitsin).

The film is based on the theater play trilogy by the leading 19th-century Russian playwright Alexander N. Ostrovsky, much loved for his hilarious and tragic depictions of Russia's emerging middle class. The filmmakers expertly blend all three stories of Balzaminov's clumsy courtships together, embellishing them with star performances from some of Russia's finest actors. This, together with the film's kind and humorous atmosphere, has made it an everlasting classic with the Russian audience.

I didn't expect I'd like this movie so much. It has loads of what they call a 'human factor'. Renée Zellweger is perfect for the part of an ambitious and uptight executive. Her character is still young but you can easily see what she's going to become in ten years' time: a corporate monster incarnate, a new Miranda Priestly. Her character has long lost grip on reality, speaking in meaningless corporate buzzwords: basically, this unexpected business trip to Minnesota saves the poor girl's life. I absolutely love Ms. Zellweger's portrayal of her character: everything in her from her facial expressions to little corporate accents is so recognizable!

This film left me with a very good feeling, as if it had restored something important within me. A subtle comedy and an even subtler romance - basically, this is just a life story with its humor, love and heart-warming developments. Perfect for a quiet Christmas evening - yes, because the filmmakers managed to add a touch of Christmas which, IMHO, wasn't really necessary and ruined part of the story appeal for me (as in, "oh no, not another Christmas movie!" halfway through it).

Overall, a wonderful experience, can't recommend it enough.