Leningrad Cowboys Go America

Until I saw this movie, the only thing I knew about this band was that it existed. I have to admit, I had no idea how much was behind it and that one of Finland's leading directors had a hand in forming it. So once I started watching the movie, I was quite shocked. The humor is quite uncompromising and draws not just from the people in the band, but also from the people around it, who do not need to put a single emotion into their roles, and yet they manage to say everything they need to say. After seeing the movie, I had to play back some of the musical performances several times. For example, the Finnish polka right from the beginning, that really knocked me over. Or when the band performs in front of an American producer in some dilapidated barn. That's pretty crazy too. During the course of the movie the humor slightly weakens, and by the end I felt a bit that the musical numbers kept repeating themselves. But overall, I can't help myself but to give it the full five-star. For the musical intermezzos, for Vladimir, for the explanation scene, explaining why in each scene he has a can of beer in his hand or even for the scene where the band is in prison and demands beer. A unique comedy that simply deserves the five-star rating. (27/10/2017)