The Optimists (2017) User Reviews

Stylized and done well

[awg-07529 · 7/10 · 21 February 2019]

The series does an excellent job of being accurate with set details. Clearly they took their cues from Mad Men. The costumes, sets etc are all first rate. the intro is one of the best. Dialogue and character portrayal is an odd mix of serious and in depth and semi sitcom. Not sure if they are to be archetypes but the result is a show that gives you post card views on events from that time. It's not really a serious deep and complex gritty series like an Ozark or and that's ok. It does seem odd that no one seems to swear in the series at all. Worth watching just to get a unique perspective on a critical time in world history.

Lacking several things.

[iconians · 6/10 · 1 January 2019]

I wanted to like this show. After 4 episodes, I am done. To me, it seems to be weak. Overall, it's underwhelming and feels like you're wasting time as stories don't have any depth or detail or nuances.

The pace is much faster than a classic USSR movies, which is fine, but it also lacks the depth and detail of the USSR movies that many of us like.

Russia LIGHT.

[luckyfay · 8/10 · 6 February 2021]

What an enjoyable series! I've loved all things Russian (except the government) since I did a cruise on a Russian ship way back when. Delightful two weeks through the Caribbean. Lovely, hard working people, always up for fun, singing, dancing, drinking, clapping loud and long. This film brought all that back. It certainly has a serious side, but it doesn't linger on angst. No second season?.

Great - even for people NOT interested in Soviet Movies

[thomasjbollinger · 9/10 · 20 November 2020]

I must admit I am very interested in this time, the time just before the cold war, when USA and Russia somehow were still together in having won WWII. But even if you're not, I bet you'll like the series. It's interesting to see that time from the other side. The story is good, the acting is great, the actors are great and the styling is perfect. It's good to see for once not the poor aggressive vodka drinking russian mafia but a time full of new things and hope for a better future. I can not recommend this series enough - it's indeed a very optimistic piece of film making from Russia.

Brilliant series!

[kpickvance · 10/10 · 23 November 2020]

It is a fantastic insight into Russian life in the Soviet Union! People were exactly like this to each other: both very helpful and utterly deceitful! The characters were truly wonderful: I think, i have met all of them, back in the days - from the older secretary lady to ALL the main and not so leading figures in the films here!!! So perfectly pictured. I cannot wait for a second series, hopefully equally long as this one! Best thing for a decade on the BBC, even though, i do love most BBC4 imported series! Please, please hurry up: produce the second series, can't wait!

Hit and miss. Mostly miss...

[ayaguzman · 5/10 · 5 August 2021]

I have seen great russian movies in the past with great directors, good scripts and excellent actors, so this series was a big disappointment. The script sometimes is bordering in childish. The acting may be because of the director, or the actors themselves, is sometimes appalling. It is sad, since the basic story is sound and quite interesting. The set up, costume and staging is very well done Not interested in Series 2.