Watching this in the 2000s, the story seems so traditional & ordinary, especially given the expected end (particularly at that period of time). But if one is fond of skillful acting and is enthusiastic about watching a gifted actor, this one isn't to be missed. Of course it's a must watch for Slava Tikhonov fans. But those who have watched him only in the epic Bondrachuk "war & peace" or in his most famous spy role in "seventeen moments of spring" would be surprised to find out how he's such a talent to make a totally remote role; a mischievous, barely educated & impulsive peasant, yet with an outstanding romance performance. The story was revolutionary in those conservative early soviet times, given its subtle criticism of system bureaucracy as well as the then perceived daring realistic romantic scenes in which Tikhonov with help of the director discovered some of his powerful, yet delicate emotional gestures. He definitely put a lot of time & effort to make such a different character from himself convincing. Watching him eating, spitting, joking, refusing discipline and sarcastically reacting to criticism is entertaining in itself.
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