Search - Russian Bride on DVD

Excellent but uncomfortable to watch

T. Dimock | Ventura, CA United States | 04/27/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"[Plot spoilers ahead.] As other reviews have mentioned, some steps of introduction process were omitted from the story. If the character Blake had really been serious about meeting Tanya, he would have flown over to her home to meet and get acquainted with her, her family, and her culture. Likewise, she should not have flown to America first to meet him. She needed a much better idea of what she was getting into, such as his insufferably claustrophobic shoebox apartment. That said, I found this remarkable "little" film to be one of the most difficult to watch without cringing or having feelings of embarrassment and anguish - it is just too realistic. My heart was breaking for Tanya. Blake is a cad in every sense of the word - a completely clueless boor with zero personality. I had to keep telling myself that these are actors and this is a film, but still I found myself absolutely despising Blake and his crude, rude, callous friends. An abrupt, sad ending leaves us wondering what happens to Tanya.



Director/producer/writer/cinematographer/editor Natasha Guruleva has made an excellent film that feels too true for comfort. Be sure to watch the "Making of" featurette for real-life resolutions to the actors' lives. Five stars for the movie. However, ...



Pathfinder Pictures' DVD quality gets only one star. Picture quality is poor: the images frequently break up into pixels because of far too much compression. The movie (97:20 minutes), featurette (43:45), and previews and extras (16:00) and logos and still gallery add up to over 2 hours 37 minutes of material crammed onto a single layer disc. The film is letterboxed, not anamorphic. Mono sound with stereo music; actors' voiced sibilances often distort into the left and right channels. A real cheap treatment of a good film.

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EXQUISITE FILM

Susan | PRINCETON, NJ USA | 10/30/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is an exquisite film about the fragility of the budding relationship.

The events in the film are unfolding in an unexpected way. The dialogue is smart and touching."

Russian Bride

J. Foster | Fond du Lac, WI United States | 03/26/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"A lovely film. I was capitvated by the role of Tanya. Elena Roth is an exquisite actress. Though unfortunate in her quest for love, she takes what life gives and recoils to make her life better. An honourable trait sometimes never experienced in North America. The need is not as immediate. Recommend to all."

Wonderful human story told by the art movie

Elena V. Boiko | 11/02/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Russian bride is a movie anybody will find interesting and engaging to see. The cinematography is very beautiful and the story is so realistic and so compassionately told. I can watch this film over and over again."