My Sergei is a romantic reverie delving deeply into the love and tragedy of Russian ice skaters Sergei Grinkov and Ekaterina Gordeeva. Paired in the early 1980s, Gordeeva and Grinkov matured into world and Olympic champion... more »s, and the working relationship blossomed into friendship, love, marriage, and parenthood. In November 1995, their fairy-tale life dissolved when Grinkov suffered sudden heart failure during a routine practice. Based on the bestselling book written by Gordeeva with E.M. Swift for Gordeeva and Grinkov's daughter Daria, this 90-minute film is extremely powerful. It is a rare and effective blend of narrated documentary, reenactment, extensive footage from the pair's skating career, and interviews with Gordeeva, family members, friends, and other famous ice skaters including Scott Hamilton, Viktor Petrenko, Kristi Yamaguchi, and Paul Wylie. --Tami Horiuchi« less
"On 20 November 1995, figure skating lost one of its greatest athletes - ever - when Russian pairs skater Sergei Grinkov collapsed and died during a practice in Lake Placid, New York. Now, through re-enactments and footage of his career, Grinkov's memory is brought to life through this touching documentary, "My Sergei".At age 15 Grinkov was paired with fellow Russian skater, 11-year old Ekaterina Gordeeva. Though the two were different ages and heights (he was about 2 heads taller than she), they became the greatest pairs team in the history of the sport. In 1986, their first year in senior competition, they won the World Championships. Two years later, at ages 16 and 21, they became Olympic gold medalists in Calgary. The world was introduced to, and fell in love with, Gordeeva and Grinkov - G&G.Two years later the duo turned pro, got married, and won the hearts of fans the world over. Through Stars on Ice, they reached American audiences with their graceful and emotional routines, always consummately performed with style. When they returned to Olympic competition in 1994, there was no doubt that they would win gold again -- and they did. Within two years, however, Sergei was dead, and skating would never be the same.Told through the eyes of Grinkov's partner and widow, Katia Gordeeva, this documentary is a joyous and touching film, as it reveals the life and loss of one of skating's greatest athletes."
If you love a love story ...
Lorax | 07/13/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"If you are a G&G fan and you haven't seen this, it is a must see. If you have never heard of Gordeeva & Grinkov - watch it and you will fall in love with them. Based on Katia Gordeeva's book about her life with her late husband (also a must-read) it features extensive footage of the couple and interviews with Katia and only a few hyper-cheesy "flash back" re-enactments. It is more a docu-drama than a movie. Now, almost 10 years after Sergei's death, with Katia remarried and expanding her family, it is still a beautiful movie to watch and enjoy. And if you have never experienced G&G you are missing the greatest pair ever to take the ice. This movie is a good way to "get to know" them."
A great love story
Lorax | 02/26/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I recomend this movie to everyone even if your not a g&g fan. It's a wonderful documentary of a couple that first started as partners then as lovers. It's a sad, touching story you won't get tired of seeing. I also recomend you buy the book MY SERGEI: A LOVE STORY it will give the details of how their ralationship started evolving into more than just partnership. I truly recommend this movie to anybody. And trust me once you have seen it you will want to see it again and again. Afterwards you'll want to know more about this beautiful couple."
Touching Tribute... But Not What I Expected
Renee Overton | Escondido, CA | 06/24/2000
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Very nice and loving tribute to Sergei Grinkov by wife Ekaterina Gordeeva. From the begining I was a fan of Ekaterina Gordeeva and Sergei Grinkov the skating team.Though very well done, this video is not what I expected. I was expecting something more like a "movie of the week." Examples of this would be, "The Grace Kelly Story" or "Seleena." Movies done with actors. That said... Dispite my mild disappointment this is a great video."My Sergei," is more like a docudrama told through the eyes of Ekaterina Gordeeva. Ekaterina narrates the video as she refects on her life with Sergei. Through Ekaterina's refections, we re-live some Gordeeva and Grinkov Staking moments. We witness a budding romance, the happiness, and the grieving from the loss of Sergei. As well as, the move forward for Ekaterina and her daughter."My Sergei," is a fairytale cut short. The "Romeo and Juliet" of the '90's. A must have for any skating fan."
A beautiful and moving tribute to a love that will never die
CorgiBuddy@aol.com | North Carolina | 04/24/1998
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This video of the story, my sergei, is very touching...almost hauntingly so, and the viewer will never forget it or the love story that it tells. I was, and always will be,so impressed with Ekaterina Gordeeva and her strength through such a difficult time in her life. She shows such grace and composure for herself and for those she loves; and her relationship with Sergei is beautifully remembered in this tribute video. The one thing this video does beyond all else, is teach people to appreciate the people they have in their lives. This video would make a beautiful gift for those about to be married, or celebrating an anniversary, because it shows that love lives on forever, and is the most important thing in life. END"