Russkies (1987)

User Rating:

5.0/10   

Director:

Rick Rosenthal

Writers:

Alan Jay Glueckman (screenplay)
Alan Jay Glueckman (story)

Release Date:

6 November 1987 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Plot:

It is during the Cold War and all Americans have a view of Russians as one thing: bad people. A group...

Plot Keywords:

Russian | Cold War | Florida | Russian Sailor | Gocart

Cast

Whip Hubley	...	Mischa
Joaquin Phoenix	...	Danny (as Leaf Phoenix)
Peter Billingsley	...	Adam
Stefan DeSalle	...	Jason
Susan Walters	...	Diane
Patrick Kilpatrick	...	Raimy
Vic Polizos	...	Sulock
Charles Frank	...	Mr. Vandermeer
Susan Blanchard	...	Mrs. Vandermeer
Benjamin Hendrickson	...	Sgt. Kovac
Carole King	...	Mrs. Kovac
Voyo Goric	...	Boris (as Vojo Goric)
Al White	...	Capt. Foley
Patrick Mickler	...	Niedermeyer
Summer Phoenix	...	Candi

Runtime:

USA:99 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

UK:PG | Australia:PG | USA:PG

Filming Locations:

Key West, Florida Keys, Florida, USA

Company:

New Century Entertainment Corporation

Goofs:

Continuity: When Diane is saying goodbye to Misha, she is dry one minute then wet the next.

Quotes:

[After a Russian naval book washes ashore]
Adam: All I know is, whoever lost it's probably dead now.
Jason: How do you know that?
Adam: Because man, in Russia if you screw up, they don't give you a second chance to explain yourself. They just kill you.
Jason: Sounds like my dad.

Movie Connections:

References Red Dawn (1984)

Very cute little movie.

I remember seeing this movie when it first came out in the theaters--the L.A. Times gave it a favorable review and it sounded kind of fun. It was.

It's dated now ('80s clothes, '80s politics), but it's an amusing, somewhat corny little movie that will entertain and amuse. I thought that the interaction between the three boys and "their" Russian sailor seemed genuine, and I liked the premise. The scenes where the boys have a "day out" with their new (Russian) buddy are especially fun to watch.

Whip Hubley is cute and likable as the stranded Russian (but, oh, that big '80s hair cut he's got!). Leaf Phoenix (now known as Joaquin) is excellent as one of the boys. (I recall how the L.A. Times review took special note of Phoenix's performance, and predicted that he had a great future ahead of him. Boy, were they right!) Also take note of Benjamin Hendrickson (playing Phoenix's Hungarian father who has no love for Russians). Hendrickson is mostly known for soap opera work, but he has an effective supporting role in this film.

This is a little movie with some laughs and a good heart. It's not a *great* film, but still enjoyable. James Newton Howard (still early in his career when this movie was made) does a good job with the score. I even bought the soundtrack (on LP at the time) and it is enjoyable to listen to on its own!