Forgotten Tune for the Flute

Russian filmmakers aren't always noted for their sparkling sense of humor, but this enjoyable Soviet satire takes advantage of permissive times by poking fun at the stubborn habits of the old regime, represented here by a meek, conservative bureaucrat coping unsuccessfully with Perestroika. When the effort of faking enthusiasm for what he considers politically suspicious, third-rate artistic programs sends him to the hospital with a mild heart attack, he falls in love with his young nurse and pays for his infidelity by losing his privileged position on the newly formed Leisure Time Directorate. The opening credits call it 'a film in two parts', which in one sense is true: what first appears to be a fitfully amusing but primitive attempt to plagiarize Hollywood romantic comedy role models emerges finally as a touching (and at times surprisingly candid) reflection of the schizophrenia at large in the Soviet Union in its latter days.