The film "Gogol", reviews of which are collected in this article, is a domestic painting by Yegor Baranov, based on the work of Evenings on a Farm near Dikanka, by Russian writer Nikolai Vasilyevich Gogol. "The Beginning" is the first film from the project. The next will be called "Enchanted Place", then "Viy" and "Terrible Revenge."
The plot of the picture
The film "Gogol", reviews of which can be read in this article, was released in the domestic hire in 2017. The picture is divided into two chapters. The first is called Dikanka Murders.
The film "Gogol. The Beginning" in the plot begins in 1829. Young Nikolai Vasilievich serves in the Imperial Chancellery in St. Petersburg. When on duty he has to face murders, he is tormented by severe seizures, which are accompanied by mysterious visions. Being in an unconscious state, he writes down words that, at first glance, seem to be devoid of any meaning.
In the film "Gogol. The Beginning," the plot begins to develop rapidly after the main character meets the famous investigator Jacob Guro. He observes that Gogolâs incoherent notes turn out to be valuable clues that help investigate the killings.
Guro goes to Poltava province, where the mysterious murders of girls take place. Events unfold around the small village of Dikanka. Just the day before, Gogol had visions of this, so he asked Guro to take him with him. In addition, he hails from these places. The investigator agrees, Gogol goes with him as a clerk and assistant.
In the Russian film "Gogol. The Beginning", the main characters arrive in Dikanka and begin an investigation.
Mysterious killer
Everyone who came across this killer claims to be the Dark Horseman. Among the locals there are many superstitious people who are very reluctant to contact the guests of the capital and refuse to help the investigation. The local detective Alexander Binh is particularly dissatisfied with their arrival.
On the spot, Gogol met with the wife of the landowner Elizabeth Danishevskaya. She turns out to be a fan of his work, feels platonic feelings for him.
During the next vision, Gogol sees Oksana. Later it turns out that she is a mermaid. Oksana promises assistance in the investigation if Gogol finds out which of the mermaids is a witch. Suddenly it turns out that similar killings already occurred in these places 30 years ago.
New vision
In the film "Gogol. The Beginning" (2017), the visions of the protagonist turn out to be the most bewitching scenes. During the next such vision, Nicholas identifies the witch among the mermaids. She turns out to be Gann from the inn.
That same night, mermaids chop off her hand, and the next morning it turns out that the real Gann also lost her hand. Guessing who revealed it, she attacks Gogol and Guro, but Binh kills her.
The next night, the main character again in a dream is Oksana, who says that the true killer is still free, and Gann was only his assistant.
At the same time, Guro encounters the Dark Horseman and fights him in the barn. The barn is collapsing, everyone decides that both Guro and the Dark Horseman are dead. But since the remains of the criminal were never found, Gogol decides to continue the investigation on his own.
Red scroll
The second chapter of the film "Gogol. The Beginning" (2017) is called "The Red Scroll." It turns out that a few days later the murders resumed in Dikanka. Khavronya becomes a victim, who dies right on a date with her lover Popovich. Tom now constantly encounters a red scroll and a pork head, which, according to popular beliefs, serve as a symbol of marital infidelity. Allegedly, the devil throws them on the threshold of traitors.
The murder takes place as if it were again committed by the Dark Horseman. But during another vision, Gogol draws a linden and realizes that he is following a false trail. This is confirmed by an error in the drawn sign of the Horseman. And soon the murder weapon of Havronya is found in the deceased's house, her husband confesses everything.
Gogol's assistant
In the second chapter, Dr. Leopold Bomgart comes to the aid of Gogol. He has an exclusively scientific mindset, does not recognize anything mysterious and supernatural, denies the very existence of evil spirits.
An autopsy conducted by Bomgart shows that Sowron died of fear. Because of this, she had a heart break. Soon her ghost begins to appear as her stepdaughter, who is about to get married. But Gogolâs visions are again tormented by mermaids, who claim that he must renounce all worldly things in order to use his gift to the full. First of all, you will have to forget about your feelings for Lisa.
The main character succeeds in solving this mysterious crime with the help of Bomgart and the local blacksmith Vakula. It turns out that the candle that the stepdaughter of Havroni bought from the gypsies is filled with ingredients that cause hallucinations. Gogol himself, breathing in the smoke from this candle, immediately saw one of his fears - Pushkin, who was laughing at him and criticizing his work.
The protagonist realizes that the killer is Parasqueâs stepdaughter, who got rid of Havronya so that she would not stop her from getting married. Gogol exposes her, but Paraska hides in the forest. The ghost of Havronnya overtakes her and gives it to the Dark Horseman as another victim.
Gogol and his assistants try to save her, but they are blocked by the witchcraft of Havronya. When Khavronya sees Gogol, he disappears in horror with a cry: "Do not come near me, dark one." Everyone remains completely at a loss. Parasu is found dead in a boat off the coast.
Decoupling of a picture
The next morning, Gogol with his most faithful comrades discusses how to confront the formidable enemy - the Dark Horseman. Suddenly, in the ancient mirror appears the image of the mermaid Oksana. She says that among the things of Guro there was a chest that he ordered to give to Gogol in case of unforeseen circumstances.
Touching the castle on the chest, the protagonist sees another vision. The new victim of the Horseman may be Lisa. The first film ends with shots in which Guro, whom everyone considered dead in a fire, overlooks Dikanka, being on the edge of a cliff.
Film crew
In the film "Gogol. The Beginning," the crew worked above all praise. Moreover, the director of the picture was Yegor Baranov, for whom she became a debut in a big movie.
But the film was produced by a team of real professionals: Alexander Tsekalo, Arthur Janibekyan, Evgeny Nikishov and Valery Fedorovich.
A whole group of little-known, but talented and promising screenwriters worked on a fascinating script for the film. These are Tikhon Kornev, Kim Belov, Alexey Chupov, Natalya Merkulova, Alexey Karaulov and Philip Konyashov.
Gloomy and mysterious shots were shot by cameraman Sergey Trofimov. On his account, one and a half dozen popular paintings, including Timur Bekmambetovâs urban fantasy âNight Watchâ, comedy melodramas of the same Bekmambetovâs âIrony of Fate. Continuationâ, âChristmas Treeâ.
For work in the historical drama of Sergei Bodrov Sr. "Mongol" Trofimov received the "Nick" award in the nomination "Best Cinematography".
Alexander Petrov
The role of Nikolai Vasilyevich Gogol went to the Russian actor Alexander Petrov. He made his film debut in 2010 in a cameo in the TV series Voices. Two years later, he received his first major role in the adventure comedy fantasy series "While the Fern Blossoms." He played the journalist of the Secret Truth newspaper Kirill Andreev.
Also, viewers can remember him from the detective television series "Method", where he got the role of Zhenya, the multi-part crime comedy "Policeman from Rublevka", the fantastic drama by Fedor Bondarchuk "Attraction".
In the film "Gogol. The Beginning" Alexander Petrov, according to most viewers, coped with a difficult task, creating a vivid and extraordinary image of the great Russian writer of the XIX century.
Oleg Menshikov
The experienced investigator Yakov Petrovich Guro in this picture is played by the People's Artist of Russia Oleg Menshikov. He is rightly considered one of the main stars of this picture. The fact that Menshikov agreed to participate in the project is a great success. This was repeatedly said by producers and other creators of the film "Gogol. The Beginning." Oleg Menshikov creates on the screen the image of a scrupulous detective who understands all the details in order to, ultimately, get to the bottom of the truth.
Oleg Evgenievich is a real star of not only Russian, but also Soviet cinema. His cult works: Mikhail Kozakovâs lyrical comedy âPokrovskie Vorotaâ, drama by Alexander Khan âDuba Dubaâ, Nikita Mikhalkovâs melodrama Burnt by the Sun, Nikita Mikhalkovâs historical drama The Siberian Barber, film adaptation of Boris Pasternakâs novel Doctor Zhivago.
Evgeny Stychkin
In the film "Gogol. The Beginning" actor Evgeny Stychkin also plays an important role. He got the image of the local investigator Alexander Khristoforovich Binh. At first, he interferes with the main characters, constantly inserting sticks into the wheels. But in the end, more than once helps and even saves from death.
Work in the film "Gogol. The Beginning" Evgeny Stychkin replenished his collection of roles in domestic cinema. On his account already several dozen works. The most notable are the comedy television series "The Golden Calf", the drama by Natalia Bondarchuk "Pushkin. The Last Duel", the psychedelic comedy by Gregory of Constantinople "Kitty", the drama by Karen Shakhnazarov "Ward No. 6".
Taisiya Vilkova
In the film "Gogol. The Beginning" Taisiya Vilkova plays the role of Elizabeth Danishevskaya. The very Lisa, in whom the main character is in love. This is a 20-year-old Russian actress who has already managed to be remembered by theater critics for playing on the stage of the Pushkin Theater and the Na Strastnoy Theater Center.
She made her film debut back in 2005, playing the role of Valentina Serova in the drama series Star of the Epoch. Among her recent works, it is worth noting the biographical sports drama "Champions", the family adventure fantasy of Alexander Voitinsky "Santa Claus. The Battle of the Mages", the multi-part detective melodrama "Excellent student".
In the film "Gogol. The Beginning" Taisiya Vilkova creates on the screen a charming image of the wife of the Poltava landowner Alexei Danishevsky, who is delighted with Gogolâs work and has strong platonic feelings for him. At least that's what she claims herself. Gogol, by the end of the first part, really falls in love with Lisa.
Movie Reviews
Reviews for the movie "Gogol. The Beginning" were contradictory. Many liked the picture. Viewers and critics appreciated the courage of the creators of the tape, who ventured to make a real mystical detective from Gogol's classic texts.
The dynamic plot is full of references to real facts from the life of the great Russian writer. In the film "Gogol. The Beginning", the actors showed their best side, which was also appreciated by everyone who saw this tape.
Many of those who at first were perplexed by what was happening on the screen admitted that the end result was at least interesting. True, ambiguous. The main thing that well-wishers of this film are counting on is that by the end of the fourth part the creators will be able to organically bring together all the plot lines, because the ending of the first âGogolâ left many with a feeling of dissatisfaction.
The film "Gogol", reviews of which are in this article, many viewers categorically did not like. Among them are many spectators and critics who directly claimed that Gogol is now turning over in his grave from such an interpretation of his works. True, even they pay tribute to the strong cast, especially the game of Oleg Menshikov and Alexander Petrov.
Also, a lot of negativity was caused by cheap special effects, poorly prescribed dialogs and most of the secondary characters. All this creates a persistent feeling that the film is not integral, but constantly breaks up into small components.