Life in the 90s: A Relatable and Unforgettable Portrayal

Most 90s movies give you a glimpse into the bleak times we lived in. Life was tough, and that's exactly what they were filming. You'd often see movies about crime or the bleakness of life, with no hope for the future. Dmitry Astrakhan couldn't avoid the general trend, but he managed to make a great, very relatable movie that you want to rewatch over and over.

The mundane routine, the complex economic situation where people with higher education are forced to survive – it's all there. And yet, it's hard to make a decent living. But all that takes a backseat as the characters find themselves in tough situations, requiring them to make a difficult choice.

The movie clocks in at just over 1.5 hours (101 minutes). Within that time, the viewer gets to know the characters in their youth and adulthood (20 years later). Memories of their younger days are subtly woven into reality, allowing you to connect with their stories on a deeper level.

One of the things that really stands out about this film is how it seamlessly weaves together events from the past and present. The teenage romance is so genuine, pure, and nostalgic – it brings back memories of your own youth. These flashbacks are infused with a sense of romance, and you can't help but feel that the main characters are going to be okay.

But then reality sets in – the harsh realities of the 90s. The country was crumbling, and people were surviving in new realities, trying not to compromise their principles.

Former boxer and now ordinary engineer, Evgeny Timoshin, gets a chance to turn his life around for the better. A young, beautiful, and wealthy woman, who's been in love with him since childhood, calls him to join her in America. But Timoshin loves his wife and has never dreamed of America...

This was a tough time – the 90s. I was a teenager during this period, and I remember it well, but, of course, our parents bore the brunt of the hardships. I recall how hard it was to find work, with unpaid wages and frequent layoffs due to workforce reductions. As a result, people took on whatever jobs they could find. That's exactly what engineer Evgeny Timoshin does – he works not only in his field but also as a nightshift porter.

When Ana flew in from America to open up a new joint project, life for the Timoshin family was turned upside down. Natasha, the wife, understood that this was a once-in-a-lifetime chance, but their daughter Olya had no idea why her dad wasn't jumping at the opportunity. And as for Evgeny, he remained true to himself: he just couldn't fathom why you'd have to grovel to someone to get a warm spot, even if that someone was Ana, his friend's sister he'd known since childhood.

Ana, head over heels in love, didn't need handouts either; she needed admiration and love from the man she'd dreamed of for over 20 years. And now she wasn't some naive kid; she was a successful businesswoman living in the richest country in the world. But, as they say, 'Love isn't charity: you can't just give it to someone,' so in the end, everyone stuck to their guns.

The main character was faced with a tough decision: between a humble existence and his family on one hand, and a beautiful life with a woman he didn't love on the other. The complexity of the choice was underscored by the tough conditions the whole country was living in at the time. There were doubts, but in the end, the choice was clear due to his unbreakable character, his strong moral principles, and his genuine love for the one person he'd been connected to for 20 years.

The cast is truly phenomenal. I love every single one of the main actors - Alexander Zbruev, Marina Neelova, Svetlana Ryabova, Viktor Gogolev, and Irina Mazurkovich all deserve a standing ovation. Each actor brings their own unique energy to the film, and it's hard to imagine it without any of them.

I have to say, Olya, the daughter of the main characters, didn't really impress me at first. But I think that's not necessarily because of the actress, but because of the personality they were trying to portray. She's a spoiled, egotistical kid who's always looking for the good life, but doesn't lift a finger to get it. She's always complaining to her parents, though.

After Ani arrives in Leningrad, it's pretty easy to predict what happens next. She was once deeply in love with a young boxer, and that kind of love doesn't just disappear. Even though life has been tough on Evgeny Timoshin, Ani immediately recognizes him as the hero of her romance, the love of her life, the man who makes everyone else seem dull by comparison.

Ani invites 'Uncle Zhena' to join her in the US. It seems like now's their chance to finally be happy.

Timoshin starts reevaluating his whole life. Memories from the past start flashing back in his mind, like a kaleidoscope.

What's next for him? Just a bleak and hopeless future. From a purely mercenary perspective, the choice is clear. But there's one thing that doesn't add up. The hero doesn't feel anything for Anna, except maybe a friendly camaraderie. He was indifferent to her 20 years ago (no surprise, Anna was just a kid in his eyes back then), and he's still indifferent to her now, despite Svetlana Ryabova doing a great job of bringing her character to life.

And yet, despite being wealthy, young, and having all the trappings of a sweet life, Anna still ends up losing out. Because happiness just can't be bought, no matter how much money you throw at it.

For someone with strong moral principles, material possessions will never replace the one thing that truly matters – the person you love. And for Evgeny Timoshin, that person is still Anna, and she's worth more to him than anything else in the world.

What's striking is how desperation is shown from different angles. On one hand, it's life in a half-ruined country, and on the other, a strong feeling that there's no give-and-take. Some might see Ani's behavior when she decides to attempt suicide as entitled, like a spoiled little girl who wants her every whim catered to. But in reality, she's driven by such intense emotions that she loses the ability to be herself. I think she idealized her uncle's image since childhood. He seemed like the embodiment of the perfect man, and she convinced herself of it. She's created too many illusions, spent too much time in her fantasies, and become too detached from reality. She's always been used to winning, but this time, it didn't work out. The scenes are filled with desperation, and that's exactly the feeling of hopelessness that overshadows the bleak atmosphere of the time.

Why you should watch this movie:

I loved how the film captured the era with such authenticity.The cast is seriously impressive – they really bring the characters to life.'You're Mine' is the ultimate anthem for true love.The soundtrack is incredible, it really adds to the emotional impact of the film.I highly recommend it!