The comedy melodrama of Eldar Ryazanov has become a classic of Soviet cinema. The film received a huge number of reviews, and in 1978 went to conquer the American audience at the international film festival in Chicago. In 2011, a remake was filmed by contemporary directors. So to speak, in a modern way. What turned out “Office romance. Our time ”and“ Office romance ”? Reviews of the paintings - in our article.
Who needs this?
Currently, there is a controversial trend in the global film industry, which completely breaks all the prevailing stereotypes about the classics of cinema. It has become fashionable to make remakes of already known films that have gained truly popular recognition and love. This causes mixed responses from lovers of classic cinema, since, in their opinion, the continuity of human values is violated, and many talk about the destruction of the history of cinema.
Who does not know the classic of domestic cinema “Office Romance”? Reviews of the film, no doubt, make it a real masterpiece. He is not ashamed not only of the past, but also of the modern generation, because the themes raised in the picture are so simple and vital, relevant and understandable to each viewer.
The reviews analyzed in this article on the film “Office Romance” and its remake of 2011 aim to show the viewer's attitude to the masterpiece of Soviet cinema. Critics unanimously called it "a real film of generations." In addition, we will talk about the remake, which is currently ambiguously evaluated by contemporary critics of Soviet and Russian cinema.
Understanding this complex issue, we all need to accept one fact: no matter what filmmakers shoot, their creations still fall under the tough eye of film enthusiasts and critics. In the case of two presented paintings, the viewer was divided into two camps. And this is understandable: there are disagreements between generations that grew up on Ryazanov’s first film adaptation. People of the old school, spectators of the Soviet era, do not accept remakes that touch the sacred - Soviet memory and life.
Office Romance: Movie Reviews, First Criticism
Released in the fall of 1977, the film immediately gained national recognition. The phrases from the picture instantly disperse among the common people and become winged. Many characters are quoted in line for food, and among their friends they unwittingly look for prototypes of the main characters. The audience “hooked” on the picture. They liked everything: honed dialogues, a naturalistic play of actors, parallels with real life. After all, it is known that Ryazanov sought credibility in everything, and his love to show a “living story” turned out to be a dizzying success. Over 58 million viewers - this is the statistics. And these are the huge numbers that managed to collect the picture “Office Romance”. The reviews of foreigners confirmed the fact that the film was warmly received abroad, which was a curiosity for Soviet cinema for a long time. Filming rights were sold to Argentina, Hungary and Taiwan.
Looking to the future
While Ryazanov was collecting praise from government officials and ordinary viewers, few could have imagined that after decades an attempt would be made to shoot the second series. As for the remake of “Office Romance. Our time ”, it should be noted that the idea of film adaptation received wide resonance among the masses, since it was very interesting to evaluate the old story in a new way. The plot is practically repeated, but with one caveat - the action takes place in our time, and this feature gives the film a special charm. During the screening of the film, there was a huge surge in the interest of young people who took this story as their own. After all, a plot is better than Ryazanov’s!
Overseas discussions
Given the attempts to "wedge" in foreign cinema, the feedback of foreigners about the film "Office Romance" was important. After all, it was a reaction to the perception of the history of ordinary Soviet citizens primarily by Americans (in the States, the picture was shown before other countries).
After the premiere of “Office Romance” at the American Film Festival, the film was replenished with a huge number of foreign viewers. They admire Ryazanov and his creation, in particular, how it shows the harsh reality of Soviet society without embellishment. Many called this film the encyclopedia of Soviet life, while others believed that this highly artistic work carries a very strong psychological connotation.
The genius of simplicity
The master of Soviet cinema also received universal praise. On the account of Eldar Ryazanov there are many worthy works, but for many admirers of his talent, “Office Romance” remains, of course, the best work. Reviews of the film by viewers who watched it in other countries praise Ryazanov, calling him not just a director, but a real playwright who knows how to properly convey meaning.
How does he manage to make an outlandish masterpiece from the ingredients of a gray, ordinary life? Taking the heroine with her “natural beauty", a wise guy and a genius, he prepares a stunning dish of incredible characters and images, each of which is passed through itself. Indeed, this is the only way a real chef creates a “movie dish”, the taste of which remains with the viewer for a long time.
Beyond politics and harsh everyday life
What distinguishes Soviet films, in particular, “Office Romance”? The opinions of the audience are unanimous in the opinion that no matter how politicized the society of that time, Ryazanov managed to create a warm atmosphere in which, despite working days, our heroes live. Their sincerity, the simple desire to be happy, sometimes hidden under the guise of composure and impregnability (which “slides” from the face thanks to the masterful acting), remind the viewer of the existence of eternal values: kindness, decency, nobility. It is amazing how for the Soviet audience, “Office Romance” became an outlet.
Based on a real masterpiece
The plot of the picture “Office Romance. Our time ”(reviews and general impressions are presented in the article) was completely copied from the original, and the premiere was held under the slogan of transferring the cult story in a modern way. Life always presents us with the same situations that we solve in similar ways. As in previous times, there are single fathers who raise children by the example of Novoseltsev - the problem is familiar to many modern viewers, and therefore is well “perceived”.
It is interesting that Eldar Ryazanov completely criticized the continuation of the story, which takes place thirty years later. Looking ahead, it should be noted that the eminent director did not immediately agree to shoot the remake, only after long negotiations Sarik Andreasyan (who was also one of the scriptwriters) began his work with a light soul. However, the result of the cinema master did not surprise or even discourage - he completely defeated the "inappropriate parody."
Unsuccessful attempt
Most viewers who watched the remake complained that it was not a continuation of the cult story, but an independent story, slightly resembling the original. Critics, in turn, made an important conclusion - this movie is suitable for those who did not watch the original picture. Otherwise, the sequel will spoil the whole impression of the original.
Why did “Office romance. Nowadays"? Reviews from the audience speak of a real creative crisis that is observed in modern cinema. There is a connection between such failures: the lack of original ideas prevents filmmakers from creating new masterpieces, which is fraught with filming remakes, which often have low popularity and a very small box office. To take and “replay” is difficult, the pictures do not bring due success. “Office Romance” was a separate life that the main characters experienced in the distant 70s, this is a special world that cannot be recreated.
Leave the classics alone!
The modern viewer is deprived of the past, and on this kind of "parody" is forced to "experience" his life in modern reality. But this reality is not ours, it is borrowed, which does not make the picture interesting for viewing.
Reviews for the movie “Office Romance. Our time ”is talking about dividing the audience into two camps, because not everyone can understand the reason for creating a continuation of the story at which the point was put. Examining numerous reviews and reasoning, we can conclude: one category of film enthusiasts supports this kind of experiment, and the other does not accept. Many believe that this was an unsuccessful attempt to parody Ryazanov. But is this even possible ?!
Many film critics consider the continuation of 2011 “another spit” in the direction of Soviet cinema, which was an order of magnitude higher than modern cinema. Maybe we have not yet learned how to deliver quality products to the public?
Sarik Andreasyan at the beginning of the filming process claimed that “Our Time” requires rebirth: the main theme remains, but people have long since changed, along with their outlook on life. Of course, one could not forget about people's views on certain life values - family, love, attitude to work.
Famous Russian film critic Anton Dolin argues that watching “this terrible parody” is simply impossible, since it lacks common sense and good humor. Ryazanov’s story was a real masterpiece, and the modern director decided to use it for his startling start, which did not happen due to the lack of something new that could be offered to the viewer.
Not so bad
Among contemporary critics, there are approving reviews that believe that in Our Time the emphasis was on young actors who could (and probably should have) brought newness and freshness. Screenwriters got more freedom (in Soviet times, much was controlled by censorship and returned for revision), which ultimately helped make the film lively and driving. The whole picture consists of powerful emotions. Isn't that what the viewer goes to the cinema for?
The scriptwriters did a great job. They wrote heroes live, allowing them to reflect modern society with their manners, actions, dialogues. The plus is that, unlike the original, the remake is not delayed, the action develops quickly enough, the viewer is drawn into the maelstrom of events.
New “Office Romance”: reviews, discussions, pros and cons
A modern teenager cannot imagine life without the creations of civilization, and this means that for him it was necessary to beat the story that is happening in modern conditions. It is also difficult to explain to modern youth the general deficit in the era of the 70s.
The producer of “Our Time” claims that the essence of the remake was that the creators wanted to help modern youth understand the first part. You must admit that this statement sounds rather silly: having looked at Our Time, few of the young generation will understand the first part - these paintings are separated by epochs, there is very little in common between them.
Spectators will always remain on both sides of the barricade: the film has a right to exist, but its creator must take into account the opinion of the public, which is the most honest critic. Swinging at the classics, albeit pursuing sincere goals to give it a second chance, one must properly weigh all the pros and cons.
Be that as it may, “Our Time” has been shot, its premiere has taken place, and on the pages of the film history a remake of the classics has taken its place - the new “Office Romance”. Reviews indisputably prove one thing: the picture did not get the desired success. It is very difficult to earn universal recognition as it is never to repeat the glory of its predecessor - a popularly beloved hit, a priceless treasure, a gold bullion in the collection of our Soviet film industry.