The Irony of Fate gives everyone a warm feeling when watched. I was told that in Russia this movie was watched every year around the New Years holiday. Everyone gathered around the television, and laughed, and cried over this romantic story of love, and confusion too!

The movie starts out in the mid '70's in a Moscow bathhouse. There the main character Zhenya (Andrew Myagkov-translated-) celebrates the annual New Year with his friends. He got very drunk and flew to Leningrad instead of a friend. At that time many building complexes where the same in many cities. Upon arriving in Leningrad, Zhenya was tired out and ready to go home and celebrate the remainder of the day with his girlfriend. He went to the same street the same building the same apartment number as his own home, and in the unlikely situation, his key fits!

He walked in, not really noticing that the apartment was slightly different than his own. He just took off his shoes, and plopped into bed.

A little later the next main character Nadya (Barbara Brolska-translated-) returns to her home, ready to prepare New Year's dinner for her fiance' Ipolite (Eury Valkovlev-translated-). She stumbles upon a strange man sleeping in her bed. Startled, she screams, waking Zhenya from his slumber.

The movie continues, as he explains over and over that he was in a bathhouse, and got very drunk, and came to his apartment but in a different city. He explains this to everyone but really only Nadya believes him. Her New Year's night is ruined, and so is her relationship.

Zhena has the same problem. His girlfriend ended their relationship over the phone as he explained why he wasn't home for New Years.

Both are stuck in a situation, where they do not know where to go or what to do. Zhenya finally gets his mind set on one thing. Fate had brought Nadya and him together. Nadya on the other hand refused to believe this, and went out of her way to get Zhenya to leave, but he wouldn't budge.

This part of the movie makes me angry, and disgusted with how Zhenya treats Nadya. In my opinion* he has no right to be there in the first place, so the least he could do is respect Nadya's wishes. Fate or no fate, I would not have loved or respected someone anymore if they had stayed and harassed me about love, when I had just ended a relationship with a great man.

Some movies make you think about your place in life, or about how you are living it. I do not suggest to see this movie if you are looking for one along those lines. It really is just a cute love story with a little twist. In the movie their feelings about each other change many times, and so do the explainations' that they give to people.

I do not consider this movie a spectacular film. It really is basic, like the many other films out there. But I will give it some credit for being a sweet story, instead of the violent, sex, and drug stories that movie writers today feel the need to grab attention. Being an older movie, and made in Russia, there was no reference to anything of the above, which made it somewhat more realistic then the movies made today.

This movie shows all aspects of love. How at one point you may despise someone, and at another you may love them with all your heart.


Recommended:
Yes

Viewing Format: DVD