Why is the story so attractive? Really the names of glorified warriors? Their feats or valiant battles? Yes, all this, of course, is very interesting, but people were always attracted by hidden moments, details of their personal lives, a sort of “strawberry”. For example, the film "Poisons, or World History of Poisoning" covers a specific area of history. Oh, how many scary secrets and situations there were in the world when poison seemed to be a way out, but it didn’t turn out to be such! Director Karen Shakhnazarov in 2001 made a film about it.
About what?
The action takes place in modern Moscow, where actor Oleg Volkov and his wife Ekaterina live a quiet and peaceful life. Katya is not distinguished by beauty, grace and good character, but Oleg almost came to terms with this. One evening, neighbors Arnold, who works as a locksmith in a meat factory, comes in for tea. Dinner goes into joint dances, after which Arnold retires with Katya in the bathroom. Oleg logically wonders what the guest and wife did there. Katya offends interest, and she runs away. The next morning, Oleg decides to apologize, buys flowers, but at home discovers a wife with a neighbor. There are no more doubts, betrayal is proven.
To be continued
The unlucky spouse goes for a walk around Moscow, goes to a bar and drinks vodka there. There is also a drinking companion, a very interesting pensioner Ivan Prokhorov, who talks about the betrayals of his wives for a drink. The second wife did not survive the revenge of her deceived husband, he poisoned her kefir with the poison of tsikuta, thereby poisoning Socrates. Prokhorov recommends using the method and Oleg. He turns out to be a great specialist in poisons and introduces their list of Oleg. It turns out that in the case of a seasoned poisoner there are substances that the Cardinals poisoned and used by Pope Alexander Borgia. For Oleg Prokhorov, the Asclepidus was in stock, with whom the mother of the Persian king Artaserks poisoned the daughter-in-law. Oleg is hiding a terrible surprise in his wife’s favorite dish - chicken and peas. Here the situation is complicated by the arrival of the mother-in-law, which Oleg was not going to poison. After the failure of the plan, the wife and mother go to live with Arnold. Slightly calmed down, Oleg agrees to Prokhorov’s proposal to poison all three with his soaked gloves, as Catherine de Medici did in 1572, wishing the Queen of Navara died. The plans are changing again, as Arnold's wife, Zoya, is returning, and she is having an affair with Oleg. Three opponents also do not sit idly by and plan to poison Oleg and Zoya with poison poison . The ending of the film is open, but it is reported that all actions are based on real events.
Cast
The invited actors managed to play several roles in the present and the past. "Poisons, or the World History of Poisoning" is a film built on contradictions in the three main characters - Oleg, Katya and Prokhorov. Oleg Basilashvili masterfully played the pensioner. He was 67 years old at that time, but his game really impressed both critics and spectators. From him breathes courage, calmness and danger. He is a kind of tempter. The story told in the film may seem ridiculous, because revenge ultimately fails, all attempts fail at the last moment, and the unfortunate spouse is visited by obsessive dreams in which he spins in exquisite circles of wealthy poisoners, learns their stories and shares his plans. Oleg Basilashvili in the film is the central star that sets the theme and narrative motive. But a properly selected cast allows you to harmoniously distribute the load and powerfully present the story.
Angry offended spouse
Ignatius Akrachkov, who played Oleg Volkov, at that time barely reached his 25th birthday. But he played his part perfectly. He even received a prize for Best Actor. Viewers noted the extraordinary nature of the young man and his ability to convey the mental breakdown of a person who went through humiliation and pain. As a result, he was able to find himself and let go of his wife, who continued to love, despite her betrayal. Help gained love. There are no murders in the film, although the name is alarming in advance, and therefore it can be safely considered a family movie. Since then, Akrachkov began to actively act in films. His face became recognizable after a large role in the series "Soldiers", and an intelligent appearance allowed him to appear in historical films.
The main female role
Zhanna Dudanova, who played Katya, was even younger than her husband prescribed by the script, she turned 24 on the set. The role in the movie of Shakhnazarov became a bright debut for the girl. The audience considered her game to be a template disruption. Special attention was given to the appearance of a girl specific to modern cinema. She is "too" Slavic, stately, strong. Maybe that’s why after the movie by Shakhnazarov, the girl can rarely be seen in the movies. Not such a trend while such actors! "Poisons, or the world history of poisoning" is its triumph and at the same time a creative impasse. Dudanova herself in an appeal to fans says that they offer a lot of material, but there is practically nothing to choose from him, since the roles offer the same type and are already uninteresting.
Other roles
The actors appeared as a bright creative team. "Poisons, or the world history of poisoning," which is why he found a spectator love. Olga Tumaykina, who played Zoya , revealed herself in a new way to the audience. Ignatius Akrachkov has become almost a common favorite, although his character rushes between the opportunity to commit murder and the desire to stay with a clear conscience. If you evaluate the film from the point of view of the time when it was shot, then the actors very unusual solved their creative task. Poisons, or the World History of Poisoning, presented an excellent mixture of black humor, farce, drama, and even philosophy. The final of the film was a real benefit for Andrei Panin and his hero Cesare Borgia, talking about the problem of choice and development of his life path. It's nice that the humor in the film is not vulgar. The extravaganza of the absurdity seems to be the confused dreams of the protagonist, where he sees famous poisoners. The meeting of everyday humor with complex things is generally a technique characteristic of Karen Shakhnazarov, and in this film he came to the right place. Lucrezia Borgia appeared in the episode, played by Marina Kazankina, who showed the beauty and predatory manners of this mysterious lady. Amused Alexander Bashirov, who played Arnold’s woe-lover and gave out dubious passages about meatballs, family budget and relatives. It is this ease of play that good actors are characterized by. "Poisons, or the World History of Poisoning" - the film is quite light, but with a philosophical filling and clear morality. Worth recommending for viewing.