User reviews

This movie is another great foreign film that would have escaped my attention except that a Russian friend had recommended it. It is a cult film in 1975 Soviet Russia centered around their big holiday, New Years Day. The acting is unusually good and the story plot is very believable. The movie is listed as a comedy and that gives away that the outcome is a happy one. How they get there is what makes this a great story. If you don't mind subtitles and listing to a foreign language this is a great movie. There is very limited violence which actually adds to the dilemma of the characters. There is no nudity or obscene language. I recommend this to anyone looking for a light comedy. [email protected]

I major in Russian. And my teacher showed the movie in class. I love it very much. Eldar Ryazanov is famous in China. We grow up watching his movies. This is absolutely one of his best. Eldar Ryazanov is good at making comedy-drama. This is a must-see if you are interested in the culture and art of Russia (USSR as well). This film is quite long but no boring at all. You would laugh and truly admire the acting skill of Andrei Myagkov when he is tearing up the photo of the fiance of the girl---Naja. He is the best ever actor I have ever seen. This film provided much space for him to show us his acting skill and he did it perfectly. Watch it and have fun = )

Let me sort out what in this film is Soviet, what is Russian, and what is universal.

Soviet is the background, including the cartoon which precedes the appearance of humans: a man with a tube kills any architect originality, even so innocent as balconies. As a consequence, the same buildings are put up in Artica as well in a southern desert before surprised camels. The Soviet reality is the basis of the plot with identical buildings in different cities. Also the New Year tree rather that the Christmas tree is Soviet. However, as the story unfolds, the Soviet reality recedes into little visible background. An exception is a line in one of the songs: if you do not have a dog, your neighbor cannot poison your dog.

Russian are the beautiful poems which are made into songs. There are also some views of Leningrad, but actually only a few, with the St. Isaac Basilica shown several times from different sides.

The cast and the technical crew are largely Russian, but not only. Obviously Armenian, Georgian and Jewish names are listed. The actress playing Nadya has been imported from Central Europe; Barbara Brylska is a Polish actress, well known also from a number of other movies made in Poland as well as in other countries.

The appeal of the film is truly universal ! This is the reason why viewers from countries so disparate as Latvia, Ukraine and China like this film so much (not to mention Texans). The love-jealousy quadrangle, two mothers, friends of Zhenya and colleagues of Nadya could have lived in many countries around the world. Even the story of the same address could have happened for instance in Germany where practically every city and town has Bahnhofstrasse and Poststrasse.

Finally, the atmosphere of this film is unique - a word which very rarely can be used discussing films. We have seen other films directed by Eldar Ryazanov, all of them good, but none comparable to this one. All that takes place in the film is plausible, it could have happened in reality. At the same time, there is the feeling of poetic, unreal and sublime. These two basically opposed reactions to the film coexist somehow in the viewer; this simply does not happen in movies, films directed by Krzysztof Kieslowski excepted. Irony of the Fate is a truly wonderful film, alive 30 years after being created; it will enchant future generations as well.

Okay, so I'm in love with Andrey Mjagkov, but all that aside, you've simply gotta love this movie. It's funny, it makes you feel good. Somewhat far-fetched plot (I won't give it away, just go watch it), but the acting is great, the directing is great, the music is great, the singing is great. Unlike most Russian movies it does not leave you with a sense of impending doom and in a state of utter depression. It will leave you with a whole new view of Russian film and Russian life (that's if you're not Russian and don't already have a very unique view). Watch it! Trust me!

I've been told that this film is shown every New Year's Eve in Russia, and there is no doubt why. It is exquisitely romantic, appropriately funny and symbolizes the best of Russia. It's sentimentally touches a heart string in everyone and its seeming lack of reality only makes it more realistic. With a fantastic soundtrack and some beautiful poetry, you truly have not seen a good film until you have seen this. I could watch it again and again and.....

It is New Year's Eve in Moscow and Zhenya is about to get married. To celebrate his upcoming nuptials and to ring in the new year, he and his friends get drunk at the local bathhouse. Calamity ensues after Zhenya accidentally flies to Leningrad, a city he cannot distinguish from his own in his intoxicated state. By chance, his address matches an apartment identical to his own, and his key fits in the door. There, fate introduces Zhenya to the owner of the apartment, Nadya, as well as her uptight fiancé Ippolit. Will love bloom in Nadya's standard Soviet apartment, or does fate have other plans in store for Zhenya?

Directed by Eldar Ryazanov and written alongside Emil Braginsky, 'The Irony of Fate, or Enjoy Your Bath!' is a warmly entertaining romantic-comedy that also serves as a sharp satire on the soulless uniformity of the Soviet urban landscape. Much like Ryazanov's later 'Office Romance,' the film paints a stark depiction of Moscow and Leningrad during the so-called "Era of Stagnation", and like the latter film; mines the socio-economic and architectural maladies of the period for comedic gold.

Beginning with a humorous cartoon detailing the burgeoning homogenisation of the Soviet terrain, and continuing to satirize various aspects of 70's era Soviet life- from the furniture to the locks- Ryazanov's film is a criticism of drab architecture, identical apartments and cold cityscapes that people from any nation can identify with. Vladimir Nakhabtsev's naturalistic cinematography emphasises the sameness of the locales, which the production design and I. Fyodorov's set decoration only bolsters. Despite this satirical strength, though, the film is also- and perhaps primarily- a most unlikely and well-acted love story that should warm the cockles of even the iciest heart.

'The Irony of Fate, or Enjoy Your Bath!' finds Andrey Mayakov starring as Zhenya, alongside Barbara Brylska as Nadya and Yury Yakovlev as Ippolit. Mayakov delivers a delightfully impassioned performance, remaining charmingly convincing whether comically drunk or serenading the audience on the guitar. He and Brylska share a warm, seemingly genuine chemistry that makes watching them together a real treat.

Throughout the film, the Polish-born Brylska is terrific, remaining both beguiling and sympathetic. Voiced by Valentina Talyzina- who appears in the film herself as one of Nadya's friends- the character of Nadya has to deal with a strange situation to say the least, and Brylska keeps things from getting too farcical with her down-to-earth performance and easy charm. Whether singing the great Mikael Tariverdiev songs- through the voice of Alla Pugacheva- or attempting to juggle two suitors at the same time; she enthrals. For his part, the great Yury Yakovlev never sets a foot wrong in the role of Ippolit, bringing his uptight mannerisms to life perfectly, whilst remaining humorous and empathetic.

Regardless of one's agreement with Ryazanov's critique of the 70's era Soviet landscape as a soulless one, or one's belief in fate; 'The Irony of Fate, or Enjoy Your Bath!' is a funny and thoroughly entertaining experience. Well-written, strongly acted and featuring striking visuals from Vladimir Nakhabtsev- as well as a stirring score from Mikael Tariverdiev- Eldar Ryazanov's 'The Irony of Fate, or Enjoy Your Bath!' is one of the finest gems in Mosfilm's crown.

This film has celebrated its 30th anniversary on this 2006 New Year Eve, and there was a special programme about the creation of the film, actors etc. Apparently, the whole country (then USSR) watched it when it was first shown in 1976, and they wanted to see if the rating would be the same 30 years later. I have to say, I have been watching this film religiously since early teens every New Year and when I moved to live in the UK, the video recording of "Ironiya" was one of the essential items I brought with me. It's one of those films that I can watch over and over again, instant mood lifter, and I just can't imagine my New Year day / eve without it, and a bottle of "Soviet" champagne, and Russian salad, and the proverbial Jellied fish that Ippolit referred to as "muck" (I think the closest translation I can think of). On my way back from Moscow to London in Janaury, I tried to purchase a DVD copy in the airport but was told by the assistant that they are permanently sold out!!!

It's a good movie with a rather simple plot. My main problem is that for the last forty years, in the last calendar day of December, this movie is on all Russian TV channels. If you are a Russian, you pretty much have the plot engraved in your subconsciousness, whether you like it or not.

If you didn't know that the Russians could do satire, you have to see this film, which is an irreverent look at all the mass-production and lack of individuality which went with the Communist system and which form the basis for the series of misunderstandings which would be impossible elsewhere. A genuine love story, loads of fun as well and the most stunning views of St Petersburg in the Winter. There's a lot of dialogue, so your Russian needs to be up to scratch if you see it in the original, and it's a long film but worth every minute.

...we rent "S legkim parom!" and watch it. The film is on the long side, but it's perfect for New Year's Eve. I personally think this is a classic of Russian comedies. Very funny, and at the same time somewhat sad as well. The film has become legendary in Russia, so it might be a little hard for foreigners to understand, much like it's hard for people outside the US to understand all those Christmas films. It's great, though--every time I watch it, it just makes me think of the holidays and feel happy inside.

Watch it every year. It is a very entertaining, funny, romantic and beautiful movie, with great songs and great acting. It is about a man who accidentally ends up in the wrong city and is convinced another's apartment is his, this leads to much chaos and hilarity. The movie changes people's perspective to love and life, and portrays the soviet world of the time. Since it is an all Russian movie, nothing here can be considerred inaccurate or impossible, and this makes for a more realistic experience. In Conclusion, i suggest that before every new year everyone should go to a sauna to commemorate the tradition this movie enforced.

I take this film as a symbol of the great Russian film factory. I am a half-Russian so I am one of those who can't imagine the New Year's Eve without watching this movie.

This is maybe the reason I can't say much about actor's performance, plot quality etc. - I just don't look at this film from this point of view. Of course it's one successfully made movie, otherwise it wouldn't be so adored by the Russian-speaking public.

What I can say for sure is that this is a must-see for everyone who wants to discover for himself why this movie has won such public attention and continues being played each and every 31-st of December. It fulfills all the aspects of a quality-time film: romance, comedy, catching storyline and most importantly - unique atmosphere.

No wonder they filmed a remake 30 years after the appearance of the original which continues the well-known story in a wonderful day starring many of the main actors that apperared 30 years ago.

Be sure to have at least a look at it. It will do everything else for you.

I had never heard of this movie until I saw the recent US film that was apparently based on the Irony of Fate. The new one was disappointing but i still figured i would check out the original to see if it was any good. I am glad I did.

The Irony of Fate is very theatrical in that most of the movie in filmed in a small Soviet era apartment (basically a stage) and there are repeated knocks at the door as various secondary characters appear and then disappear. Just like in a theater production with people coming on stage from the wings and heading out the same way.

So we are facing a very intimate work with no serious attempt at realism and that is fine. It is a comedy and works on many levels.

There are three main characters. The protagonist (who gets drunk and ends up in someone else´s apartment by mistake. The owner of the apartment (who is the love interest) and the boyfriend of this very attractive but rather sad lady.

It is hard to explain how funny the movie is without giving spoilers so i will limit myself to saying there are various repeating hooks, some physical comedy, a number of musical interludes with deep or dark lyrics and a steady but relentless development of the romantic relationship between the romantic leads.

In summary, a very enjoyable and very theatrical movie.

I just got back from a New Year's Eve party where my Russian host gave a screening of The Irony of Fate, a movie I had never seen before. Apparently, everybody in Russia watches it every year on New Year's eve, and it is easy to see why. This movie is a terrific romantic comedy that is touching, thoughtful and hilarious.

It is tough to describe the plot without dumping some spoilers, but the main idea is that a young man from Moscow on his wedding day goes to a public bath with some of his friends (he explains several times in the movie that it is a tradition), has a few drinks, and accidentally ends up on a plane to Leningrad. He is so drunk that he does not realize he is in a different city and gets a taxi ride to what he thinks is his own apartment. He goes in and falls asleep only to be discovered by a beautiful woman, who actually lives in the apartment. What happens next has to be seen to be believed.

The plot seems far fetched, but is clearly a satire of the cookie-cutter life that people led in the old Soviet Union--all the apartments were the same I guess, to the point where a guy would not realize that he was not in his own place if sufficiently drunk. From there the movie is surprisingly realistic, and the chemistry between the leads is outstanding. This movie is a great view into Soviet culture, and an awesome evening of entertainment.

as watching this movie has become a tradition each new year in Latvia (ex soviet country) i have seen it a lot of times and enjoyed each time. i think that this movie gives a wonderful time while watching and really amazes with the sense of humor. The title is more than perfect for this movie! Another thing that amazes me is the way how the system of Soviet Union is shoved. All the situations are unpredictable.. and one can really enjoy the characters and the way how they solute their problems.. i really think that people who will watch it, will enjoy it. of course the quality might not be as good as nowadays, but respect- this movie is more than 25 years old! so- go on folks- and watch it!

Have seen it many times on TV before New Year, and it is a huge question for me, where is romantic a love in this movie. All characters seems to have miserable life before story begins. And story begins and develops only because characters are drunk or deadly drunk from time to time. Looks like the main idea - go get drunk and you will meet your spouse. And after showing this alcoholic comedy to kids and adults for decades we wonder why we have alcoholic epidemic... Should be banned from Prime Time and have rate "adults only" since contained scenes of alcohol drinking.

This is a great movie. If you've ever spent any time in Russia, you know that the premise is not too far-fetched, considering the post-war Soviet cookie-cutter construction techniques. I wish I could watch it every New Year.

Can anyone tell me if an English version--preferably subtitled, but I'd settle for dubbed--is available?

This is without any doubt the best romance comedy ever done,with the best direction , the best story , the best acting.

This is probably one of the last relatable movies ever made. American parady was a complete failure. Whoever sold them the original plot should be fired. I hope Eldar's estate got paid for this pathetic theft of an iconic idea that can only be understood by the people of the former USSR. This movie was amazing, warm, real and explored relationships that will never be understood by the american public. Much is lost in the translation and unfamiliar surroubdings that this movie portrayed. There was no fakeness, useless words, no entitlement. It was just innocent, real and extinct human connection.