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Moscow On The Hudson (1984)
Released By: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment   Rating: R   In Theaters: N/A
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Studio: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
Genre: Comedy
MPAA Rating: R
Director: Paul Mazursky
Language: English
Official Website: N/A
Theatrical Release: N/A
Home Video Release: N/A
Cast: Alejandro Rey, Cleavant Derricks, Elya Baskin, Maria Conchita Alonso, Robin Williams, Savely Kramarov
Published ID: 357
UPC: 043396065369, 043396065369,
Plot: Robin Williams stars as Vladimir Ivanoff, a Russian sax player working in a circus whose home life with his warm and colorful family does not compensate for his feelings of repression and lost opportunity in his native land. When the circus comes to New York, Williams goes on a shopping trip to Bloomingdale's -- where he suddenly announces his intention to defect. Befriended and given a place to stay by security guard Lionel Witherspoon (Cleavant Derricks), Vladimir makes the slow and sometimes painful transition from Russian to American citizen, helped along by his lady love (and fellow immigrant), Lucia Lombardo (Maria Conchita Alonso), and immigration attorney (and onetime Cuban refugee) Orlando Ramirez (Fernando Rey). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
IDDateTimeTitleReviewHelpfulVotesTotalVotes
Disappointingly Familiar
Added 6/17/2009

The Bottom Line:

The first 30 minutes or so of this drama/comedy, as Robin Williams defects to America and faces quite the culture shock in his new country are quite engaging and amusing, which makes it all the more depressing when the film reverts to a standard, tired film about his relationship with Maria Conchito Alonso; Moscow on the Hudson worth a look if can you relate to the experiences portrayed in the first half, but it's just not a very good movie.

2.5/4

1 out of 2 people found this helpful.
Great movie. Robin Williams is at his best. Really a touching movie.Great!!
Added 7/30/2008

Moscow on the Hudson is really an A#1 mivie. A Classic. Robin Wiolliams is at his est. I believe that Robin Williams should have won an Academy Award for his role.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
It expresses the bewilderment that early Russian immigrants felt
Added 12/4/2007

As someone whose family left Russia for America in the early to mid 70's this movie strikes a cord with me. I was too young to understand when this movie came out what my family felt when they came here. The sense of fear that Robins character feels when he is so close to being able to stay in America but the KGB will not allow him. Their watchful eye at every turn, even in America made Russians in that age feel justifiably paranoid. Robins overreaction in the super market to the choices in different brands of coffee. I found that hilarious as did members of my family but it is a humorous and accurate depiction of what we felt back then. The choices available was incredibly overwheeling. Seeing in that movie the drab lifestyle in communist Russia and the only thing that kept a person sane was idle chatter with ones neighbors. Of course I shouldnt forget the kindness expressed by the average American New Yorker. Also, the justifiable pride in being an American and standing up or someone seeking the safety of our borders. The only thing I would add to this film is maybe fast forwarding 20+ years when the Berlin Wall fell and the Communist Russia imploded. There a collective sigh of relief could be portrayed and Robins character would be reunited with this friends and family.
1 out of 1 people found this helpful.
The great artistic lap in Robin Williams' career!
Added 11/21/2007

In those times of great political changes, where the use of the term Perestroika was very common, this film somehow fostered voluntary or involuntarily, the visible contradictions between West and East, when a musician remains shocked because of the wonders of Bloomingdale's department store. This caustic metaphor lets us to get inside a romantic comedy, plenty of ingenious dialogues. Obviously the direction of this smart director, the talent of Robin Williams and the alluring presence of Maria Conchita Alonso, were fundamental pillars in the striking success of this film, that dated us back to other two similar and winning works: Comrade X (1940) and Ninotchka (1939).

1 out of 1 people found this helpful.
Robin Williams at his finest!
Added 6/7/2007

I don't always agree with Robin Williams' standup humor but IMAO, he is a consumate actor bordering on dramatic and comedic genius. In this film he convincingly potrays a Russian circus musician that follows thru the dreams of his close friend by defecting to America.

What strikes in my mind about this film is when his girlfriend and many immigrants are granted U.S. citizenship. With the current state of today's political correctness, the judge's words still ring true when she states "no longer will you be a hyphenated American". What a delightful statement for all Americans.

2 out of 3 people found this helpful.
Disappointingly Familiar
Added 6/17/2009

The Bottom Line:

The first 30 minutes or so of this drama/comedy, as Robin Williams defects to America and faces quite the culture shock in his new country are quite engaging and amusing, which makes it all the more depressing when the film reverts to a standard, tired film about his relationship with Maria Conchito Alonso; Moscow on the Hudson worth a look if can you relate to the experiences portrayed in the first half, but it's just not a very good movie.

2.5/4

1 out of 2 people found this helpful.
Great movie. Robin Williams is at his best. Really a touching movie.Great!!
Added 7/30/2008

Moscow on the Hudson is really an A#1 mivie. A Classic. Robin Wiolliams is at his est. I believe that Robin Williams should have won an Academy Award for his role.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
It expresses the bewilderment that early Russian immigrants felt
Added 12/4/2007

As someone whose family left Russia for America in the early to mid 70's this movie strikes a cord with me. I was too young to understand when this movie came out what my family felt when they came here. The sense of fear that Robins character feels when he is so close to being able to stay in America but the KGB will not allow him. Their watchful eye at every turn, even in America made Russians in that age feel justifiably paranoid. Robins overreaction in the super market to the choices in different brands of coffee. I found that hilarious as did members of my family but it is a humorous and accurate depiction of what we felt back then. The choices available was incredibly overwheeling. Seeing in that movie the drab lifestyle in communist Russia and the only thing that kept a person sane was idle chatter with ones neighbors. Of course I shouldnt forget the kindness expressed by the average American New Yorker. Also, the justifiable pride in being an American and standing up or someone seeking the safety of our borders. The only thing I would add to this film is maybe fast forwarding 20+ years when the Berlin Wall fell and the Communist Russia imploded. There a collective sigh of relief could be portrayed and Robins character would be reunited with this friends and family.
1 out of 1 people found this helpful.
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