The series "Poor Nastya" is one of the most successful costume TV shows of the early 2000s. The telenovela, which tells about the golden age of Russian culture, has gained immense popularity thanks to the original idea, a great play of actors, as well as a beautiful soundtrack.
The image of Anna Platonova
The main role was played by the famous actress Elena Korikova. She became famous in the mid-1990s after playing the role of Lisa of Murom in the film "The Young Lady-Peasant." The image she created on the screen turned out to be so successful that she immediately became one of the most popular actresses.
In the series "Poor Nastya", the actors and roles of which are the subject of this review, the history of the famous Pushkin story repeated the opposite. The main character turned out to be a serf, but this fact is carefully kept secret by her master, who for only one well-known reason raised a little girl like a noble lady. Elena Korikova beautifully created the image of a simple, kind and gullible girl, who, by a strange coincidence, found herself in such an unusual position that brought her a lot of trouble.
Nevertheless, she finds the strength to cope with the difficulties that have fallen on her: she boldly confronts her new harsh master, defends her dignity and right to respect before Prince Repnin. Most moviegoers liked Anna and fell in love precisely for her sincerity, straightforwardness and firmness of character.
Prince Repnin
The famous Russian actor Peter Krasilov embodied on the screen the image of the romantic and at the same time brave Prince Repnin. This character was conceived as a kind of antipode to his close friend - Vladimir Korf, who in the first part of the series turns out to be a rather severe and even cruel person. The prince fell in love with Anna, not knowing anything about her origin, and the disclosure of the terrible secret was a real blow for him.
It should be noted here that Pyotr Krasilov did a great job with his role: paired with Anna, his hero was surprisingly interesting. Misha Repnin seemed to have experienced the whole gamut of feelings: from bright hopes and bright love to cruel disappointment; after heavy doubt and hesitation, he still finds the strength to accept the bitter truth and in his new impulse he even decides to duel with his best friend. In the second part, the series “Poor Nastya” shows us the prince in a slightly different quality: by not being able to find a common language with Anna, he nevertheless finds his happiness with a charming neighbor - Princess Lisa, who, just like him, possesses a rather decisive and entrepreneurial character.
Baron Korf
Daniil Strakhov, the performer of the leading male role in the TV series Poor Nastya, embodied the image of Baron Vladimir Ivanovich Korf on the screen. This hero is perhaps the most interesting in the psychological sense. This character is the most controversial in the whole film: at first he appears as a noble man, but nevertheless very severe, strict and even cruel.
Under a specious pretext, he interfered with the happiness of a friend, rather cruelly treated Anna, constantly upset his father with his antics. All the more interesting was his further evolution: from a somewhat cynical and selfish person, he literally turns into a dearly loving hero, who is capable of self-sacrifice, selfless feelings and is ready to risk his honor and reputation for the sake of a lady. However, it should immediately be noted here that Vladimir from the very beginning was presented to the audience as a positive hero. In general, he resembles Pechorin - a man who is essentially kindly, honest, but somewhat battered by life. Strakhov perfectly conveyed the image of his character on the screen, playing it in the best traditions of Russian film classics.
Other heroes
Among the remaining actors, first of all, it is worth highlighting, of course, Tsarevich Alexander Nikolaevich, the future famous emperor, the liberator of peasants from serfdom. In the series “Poor Nastya”, the actors and roles of which were evenly distributed between young performers and artists of the Soviet school, the image of Prince Andrei Dolgoruky, played by Anton Makarsky, was also remembered. This character is distinguished by his extraordinary romance, which, however, subsequently led to the fact that he himself was confused in his feelings.
Secondary images, as well as supporting characters, who, nevertheless, were remembered by the magnificent game of venerable actors, are noteworthy. Many scenes with their participation are sparkling fun, humor and positive. That is why such characters as the manager of the main estate (played by D. Shevchenko) , the leader of the county nobility (A. Filippenko) were remembered and loved by the audience.
Supporting heroines
Other female images in the telenovela should also be mentioned. According to the reviews of the audience, Natasha Repnina, Mikhail’s sister, performed by E. Klimova, was most fond of and remembered. The heroine’s elegance, her constant optimism, lively character, wonderful sense of humor immediately attracted the attention of the audience. In addition, the actress is unusually beautiful, stylish and elegant. Her costumes and appearance became the main decoration of the series.
Many fell in love with Lisa Dolgorukaya (the role was played by A. Tabanin): the princess's courage, her determination and perseverance in achieving her goals made her one of the main engines of the plot. In addition, it should be noted the image of the bride of Alexander - Princess Maria (played by M. Alexandrova): her kindness, honesty and gullibility fell in love with all fans of the series.
Plot features
The telenovela “Poor Nastya”, the actors and roles of which were defined and selected based on historical realities, is distinguished by a rather interesting construction of the narrative composition. Conventionally, the entire plot can be divided into two parts: the first 65 episodes are devoted to a love triangle (Vladimir, Anna, Mikhail) and the disclosure of the relationship between these three heroes. This line is complicated by the fact that the main character still remains a serf, which, of course, keeps the viewer in suspense up to the dramatic moment when, finally, during the duel Korf and Repnin, she received the long-awaited free from the hands of her controversial master.
At the same time, the so-called line in the Winter Palace is developing at a rapid pace (the emperor was played by V. Verzhbitsky, the empress was A. Bondarchuk), associated with the love affairs of Tsarevich Alexander and his relationship with his bride, parents, and his attempts to somehow find himself under wise guidance his permanent mentor, poet V. Zhukovsky (A. Kalyagin).
The second part of the television series
The second part of the series loses its solidity: literally during two episodes, all the overdue contradictions both at the Korf estate and in the Winter Palace came to an end. As a continuation, an attempt was made to build a new system of relations between the heroes instead of the old one. This applies to both the main and secondary characters. Vladimir is trying to establish relations with Anna, Misha finds a new lover, and the matured Alexander is trying to correct the mistakes of his turbulent youth, saving his former favorite from the wrath of the emperor.
This love line is complemented by a rather sinister story in the Dolgoruky family (the roles were played by E. Vitorgan - the head of the family, O. Ostroumova - his wife, L. Kutepova - the youngest daughter Sofia), in which deceit, adultery, murder and poisoning follow one after another others in parallel with the disclosure of terrible family secrets about the illegitimate child and the crimes of the princess. Some fragmentation of the plot, however, did not spoil the impression of watching such an interesting project as the series “Poor Nastya”. Actors and roles were reviewed in this review.