Formula of Love (1984)
A young aristocrat, Aleksei Fedyashev, is languishing in his family's country estate, spending his days reading poetry and confessing his love... to a statue. Upon hearing that famous Count Cagliostro is touring Russia and has created quite a buzz in high society with his "magic", he decides to ask the Count to bring the statue to life...
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Load of rubbish!!
Pretty good movie overall. First half was nothing special but it got better as it went along.
A film of deceptively outspoken contemporary relevance, this is cinema at its most alert, alarming and alive.
It’s sentimental, ridiculously long and only occasionally funny
I think it's a movie about Russia. An Italian illusionist and stooge fooling well-to-do people with occult and magic like illusionist tricks, perhaps a copy of modern Copperfield, but with emphasis on occult, spiritualism, however presented as secret knowledge, and finally a businessman, comes on tour to Russia, where he hopes to find lots of rich monkeys who are ready to give their brilliants and money to the mystical stooge, who offers his magic for solving their problems. Has he succeeded ? Watch the movie. The Love formula opens in very simple, everyday things, so trivial as "greatest magician of all times" going in bed with flu and is watched by the village doctor who doesn't give a care about all his "magical" bluff, and softly mocks the "magical" show off, while the police is already on his heels.
Mark Zakharov being my favourite director, I would say this is not one of his best movies. And maybe this is just because I don't like the plot (you know, all of that Caliostro things), because the cast and the quality of acting is impressive. Also, there are a number of funny statements in the movie, and a bit of romance. Overall, you could watch this one if you need another Sunday-style-mild-comedy. But I would rather recommend Tot Samiy Munchgausen, which is by far the best of Zakharov's movies. Still 6.5 out of 10.
I saw it first time when I was about 11? so by this time I've seen it about ten times. This film really irritates me with its endless optimism. The song which heroes of A. Abdulov and S. Farada sing about 7 times during the film simply kills me. The others actors are mostly wooden and not impressing. If you want to see a really good comedy from Mark Zakharov, watch "12 chairs" (TV-series).
The movie brings up a pile of questions, managing to speak about love, purpose of life, change of beliefs - all at the same time, in one piece! It is a gear mixture of romance and humor! I absolutely love it and never get tired watching it!