There are Soviet films that make the modern viewer rejoice over our history. They allow empathy with the heroes, they delight with their fierce passion and love of life. All this fully applies to the classic of the romantic comedy “Hearts of Four” (1941). It is hard to believe that this bright and life-affirming film was shot on the eve of the beginning of such a terrible era. Needless to say, at one time party officials considered it inappropriate and released it only after the end of World War II. However, both in the military and in the post-war years, people wanted one thing: hopes for a brighter future and that soon everything would work out.
Relevance at all times
This film contains brilliant actors. “Hearts of four” conquered with their simplicity, carefree, but at the same time seriousness, more than one generation of moviegoers. The real boom in the popularity of the film came in the 90s, when the old Soviet classics were often broadcast on television. People tired of the new ugly realities, with pleasure imbued with nostalgia for a bright, beautiful and almost carefree past. The film is popular in our days. Many young viewers say that “Hearts of Four” will give odds to modern tapes of this genre, and the theme of love and gender relations will be relevant at all times.
Story line
In the early forties, the military in the country was in demand more than ever. However, one of the tank regiments near Moscow was quartered. The impressive company commander Pyotr Kolchin (Evgeny Samoilov) falls into the attention of a young frivolous student Shurochka (Lyudmila Tselikovskaya). Everything would be fine, but only the biologist Gleb Zavartsev has long and hopelessly in love. Shurochka has an older sister, who, unlike her, is serious, makes a scientific career, teaches at Moscow State University, writes methodological manuals and textbooks. At first glance, Galina Murashova (Valentina Serova) is not aimed at love, the girl has other life priorities.
Plot turning point
The beginning of change can be considered an accidental misunderstanding. Confusion between the sisters, funny plot twists and turns, pairing, intrigue, tears and hope - all this, in the end, leads to the desired outcome. The viewer who watches the film for the first time will never guess how couples will form. For this, the actors did their best. Hearts of Four is a film that, throughout the whole story, leads to its logical conclusion, but it sows some doubts in people's minds.
Director and cast
This film was shot in the tradition of French vaudeville, light and fun. No wonder that during the war he was banned. We only have to pay tribute to fate for the fact that the tape was completely shot by the summer of 1941. However, in the 80s, some scenes had to be reanimated. To sound out certain pieces, actors who were alive at that time were invited. The "hearts of four" received a new life. If, when watching a movie, you carefully listen to the voices of Evgeny Samoilov and Vsevolod Sanaev, you will understand exactly which parts were resuscitated by artists at an advanced age. The voice of a 70-year-old is different from what it was many years ago.
The director of the picture was Konstantin Yudin. Yuri Milyutin wrote the music for the film. The roles of two relatives, but such unlike sisters, were performed by the two most sought-after actresses of their time. Valentina Serova (Galina Murashova) was the muse of Konstantin Simonov. She was very suitable for the image of a tough, smart and wayward heroine. The poignant dialogues of Galina with Peter Kolchin have long been divided into quotes. Ludmila Tselikovskaya (Shura Murashova), giving out aphorisms one after another, did not lag behind her colleague. In this sweet carelessness, frivolity and even stupidity, we do not see anything criminal.
The image of Shurochka is so cheerful and bright that she can forgive some of the shortcomings. Even when she unites against her sister with Gleb, realizing that the young man is deeply in love with her, we do not see a game in this. Pavel Springfeld did an excellent job with the role of "nerd." His statements are also full of barbs and the truth of life, and in some places a clumsy image makes the viewer smile. Many find that Shurochka and Gleb perfectly complement each other. She wanted to play love, she looked at the brave officer, but in the end, Shura understood which of the young people she really needed. For this insight, we want to forgive her all the intrigues that she weaved against her own sister.
Supporting roles
Separate mention deserves the neighbor of the Murashov family in a communal apartment - manicurist Tamara Spiridonovna (Irina Murzaeva). The brilliant actress performed her small role brightly and unforgettably. What is her mysterious smile worth while she calls one of the sisters to the phone. Oh, it’s not without reason that Galina gave herself away when unexpectedly meeting Kolchin for a manicure.
The mother of the Murashov family, Antonina Vasilievna (Lyubov Dmitrievskaya), is a positive woman in all respects. Without exaggeration, she is one of those on whom the Russian land rests. The male roles of the second plan are represented by professors, teachers and quartered military. The film starred: Andrei Tutyshkin (professor), Rostislav Plyatt (professor of literature), Vsevolod Sanaev (ordinary Red Army soldier Yeremeyev), Alexander Antonov (colonel), Anatoly Soloviev (junior lieutenant Naydenov) and others. The famous song “Everything became blue and green around” was performed by Vera Krasovitskaya.
On the role of Soviet cinema
In this publication, we are talking about the Soviet pre-war romantic comedy that has become a classic of the genre. We already got acquainted with the roles and found out how wonderful the actors play in the film. "Hearts of four" is a symbol of an entire era, I want to watch this film regardless of time, taste preferences and age characteristics. Indeed, the release date of the picture should not bother anyone. As we all know, in the first half of the twentieth century in our country we knew how to make good films. Cinema was not a business and not a means of achieving popularity by individual actors. Each picture taken in the pre-war or post-war period had a deep promise, despite the apparent simplicity.
Any profession of honor and respect
In this film, we learn the value of relationships, admire people born immediately after the revolution. Many of them have found their place in life. Some have become scientists and teachers, while others are selflessly in love with nature or have found their calling in the defense of their homeland. In communal apartments of the Soviet era, one could meet absolutely motley characters. As you can see, next to the mathematician manicurist coexists perfectly (recall that this role was played by Irina Murzaeva). The images of the military are reflected flawlessly. Even ordinary Red Army men are trustworthy. It becomes clear why our country was able to survive during the Great Patriotic War, why people loved their homeland so selflessly.
Fantasies on the topic “What happened to the heroes next”
Sometimes we fantasize on the topic “What happened to each hero after the end of the war”. What did the biologist Gleb (Pavel Springfeld) become, did he go to war? Did the brave lieutenant Kolchin survived, who served as an apple of discord between the two sisters and fell in love with a good half of the population of the post-Soviet space? In the hero of Evgeny Samoilov, every woman who saw this picture sees a real man with his steel inner core.
Viewers reviews
Most viewers of the modern generation enthusiastically accepted the film “Hearts of Four”. For many, he is one of the most beloved Soviet masterpieces of cinema. Hearts of Four is a movie of all time. If you have already watched this picture and remember the famous scene of a trip in a car, the dialogs between Galina (Valentina Samoilova) and Peter, you probably could have forgotten some other, no less interesting details. Refresh it in memory with the next viewing.
Conclusion
If for some reason you missed this wonderful film from sight, we strongly recommend that you fill in the gap. Don't like old movies? Don't let the release date bother you. As we mentioned earlier, many modern tapes of this genre with good (and not so) songs are noticeably inferior to this masterpiece. Sincere and romantic heroes even in delicate situations fall somehow nobly.
Looking at them, I want not to make fun of the heroes themselves, but to laugh at the prejudices that fill any society. Lyudmila Tselikovskaya recalls that “Hearts of Four” was her favorite painting. Not because, by and large, they gave her a ticket to life and popular recognition. According to the actress, in this film she played herself.