If it had ended as sweet as it began, it wouldn't be Jora Kryzhovnikov.

If it had ended as sweet as it began, it wouldn't be Jora Kryzhovnikov.

What a beautiful evening!

I've seen some Russian romantic comedies that remind me of popular Turkish series where all the characters are perfect from head to toe, set against the backdrop of picturesque southern locations. I've never actually finished a Turkish series, but I think I'd agree with that general sentiment. These shows often have a way of making you feel like you're living in a perfect world, where everyone's problems are solved with ease.

However, the storyline of 'Тысьача "нет" и один "нет"' made me think of a different classic Russian film, 'Жестокий романс' with Larisa Guzeeva and Nikita Mikhalkov. It's got a young, dreamy heroine, her mother who's eager to secure a better match for her daughter, a wealthy but arrogant suitor, and a lovestruck young man who's overshadowed by the suitor. Unfortunately, that story didn't have a happy ending. This one takes a different turn, but it's not exactly a feel-good story either.

The film starts off beautifully, with a stunning wedding in Sochi. The decorations are breathtaking, even without any extra installations. From the first episode, you know you can relax and get swept up in the romantic tale of love, the sea, and charming characters. But as the series progresses, things start to take a darker turn. It's not just about the wedding planner being late or the cake collapsing – it's about the complex relationships between people and the fact that a beautiful picture often hides a lot of underlying issues.

The whole film feels like a Russian version of 'Twin Peaks', set in a deserted, idyllic Sochi. I'm impressed by how the crew managed to capture the empty beaches and deserted streets without making it feel like a real place. I visited Sochi last year and it was bustling with tourists, but here it looks like a secluded, imaginary world where only perfect people live.

Elena Lyadova is perfect as the strong, determined matriarch of the family. She's got the 'iron lady' persona down pat, and it's a great fit for her character. She's fearless, determined, intelligent, and willing to do whatever it takes to ensure her children live happily and comfortably.

I have to admit, when I first met Sergei, the self-made young oligarch, I was a bit put off by his overly familiar tone. Trying to charm a woman with a compliment that disregards her age is just plain rude. It's not about being extroverted or finding common ground, it's about disrespecting someone's boundaries. He seems to think that if he's successful in one area, everything else in life will fall into place. Newsflash: life doesn't work that way.

I know some of you might find this off-putting, but that's how I see it. And it's not because I'm saying 'you can't do it,' it's because anyone can put themselves in Sergei's shoes and see how his behavior comes across. Oksana's reaction is totally justified.

But things took a turn. Sergei's usual tactic of 'distracting with flashy stuff' didn't work on Oksana. She wasn't impressed by his yacht, money, or other trappings of wealth. So, he tried to show her that he's a down-to-earth guy who understands the human side of things. He managed to connect with her on a deeper level by sharing stories, making promises, and professing his eternal love.

By the way, I've never seen Constantine Beloshapkha (aka Sergei) in any other movie, but he does a great job in this one.

And then there's Vasily Chepurchenko (Lifanov), the artistic director of the theater, a director who's always living in a state of euphoria. He's a creative type, always chasing his dreams. Compared to the cunning and arrogant Sergei, his chances with Oksana are almost non-existent. He can't buy her affection or try to impress her with material things. All he can offer is the theater, but Oksana just can't see herself in that world and can't bring herself to hurt a good person.

Oksana tries to get involved in the theater, to immerse herself in the role of the main character, but she has no idea that the real challenge awaits her on stage, something she's tried to escape or run away from many times.

The movie has a lot of colorful and interesting characters, including the plotline with Oksana's sister, who finds herself in a love triangle.

I have to admit, the whole story with the ruthless prosecutor who was basically running the show in town and his daughter, who seemed like a great friend at first, was a wild ride.

The main character, played by Mila Yeshkova, was a real mixed bag. On the one hand, everyone's fighting for their own happiness, and that's what makes life worth living. But on the other hand, you can't build your happiness on someone else's misfortune, no matter how much you might want to.

But calling out Marina for her part in the whole thing feels a bit superficial. The real hero of the story is Sergei, who finds himself in a tough spot and has to make some tough choices. And let's be real, if he'd chosen differently, he'd still have a chance at love. Knowing Oksana, who chose a person over a reputation, he would've made the right call. But what Sergei ultimately chose and how that choice affected everyone else is something you'll have to see for yourself.

For me, the ending was completely unpredictable. I mean, I was expecting something that would shake me out of my complacency and make me realize that life isn't always like the TV shows we watch. But what I got was something even more piercing.

I'd definitely recommend checking this out, especially on a cold, gloomy day in the middle of nowhere. The bright, sunny visuals will even make your day a little brighter, I'm sure!

As for the aftertaste of the storyline... Don't believe the tears of the addict, the smile of the prosecutor, or the confessions of love from the narcissist. For a narcissist, love lives even shorter than in a Bégbeder novel. Especially when their perfect world comes crashing down like a house of cards.