Unpredictable Thrill Ride

Hello everyone!

I'll be honest, I wasn't planning on watching this movie at all, but it all happened spontaneously and I don't regret it one bit.

Plot

It's set in the Russian Empire, on the cusp of the 19th and 20th centuries. Thirteen-year-old nobleman and orphan Vanya Ogarov is fleeing Moscow for Nizhny Novgorod, trying to escape the killers his own uncle has hired to take him out. To protect himself, Vanya hires a rough-around-the-edges boxer named Volchok. Volchok's job is to get Vanya to Nizhny safely, where his father's friend is waiting for him. But things quickly go awry: Vanya's a dreamer, an aristocrat, and an aesthete, while Volchok is a gruff, no-nonsense kind of guy. They barely tolerate each other, but they're in for a wild ride that will change them both forever.

The start is dynamic, nothing's dragged out, and the characters are slowly revealed throughout the story. The music is spot-on, the sets are atmospheric and natural, and nothing's jarring to the eye – it really feels like you're in the Russian Empire on the brink of a new era. Main characters

Volchok – he's a simple, yet incredibly charismatic guy, maybe not the most refined or educated, but he's not dumb by any means. In his world, there's no room for all that high-falutin' stuff. Boxing's just a job for him, and you can tell he's tired of it. I loved how he was all skeptical when Vanya asked him about the hotel when they were walking through the field, and how he teased the concierge at the hotel.

Vanya Ogarov – he's an aristocrat, a bit spoiled and finicky, but I didn't notice any pretentiousness – he's just a sheltered kid. There's a naivety and a certain directness to him. He's read about surviving in the wilderness in books, but he's not exactly prepared for the real thing – he's not whining too much, though, which is pretty typical of a city kid.

Elza - she's got elegance and beauty down pat, trying to fix things, albeit with a slightly selfish motive at first.

Uncle Vanya (Vesnitsky) - he's a bit cartoonish and underhanded, but the actor does a great job of making him believable. He's like a slippery snake, always thinking several steps ahead.

Dad's friend (like Constantine Nikolaevich) - he's a total noble type, loves to travel. He's not in the story much, but he plays a key role.

Overall impressions

I really loved how they captured the atmosphere of Russia on the turn of the century - the landscapes are beautiful, heartfelt, and varied, with a sense of danger lurking around every corner. The natural scenery is breathtaking, especially the bridges and the serene waterways, which makes you feel like you're in the midst of something vast and awe-inspiring.

I also appreciated how they showed a third-class train car from that era, with goats in the carriage, a bunch of people, and uncomfortable benches. You usually see first-class cars in movies about that time period.

The fistfights are really well-choreographed, and you can practically hear the punches landing and the pain Volchok's in, even though he's trying to play it cool.

The plot is expertly twisted, especially the ending - I thought I had it all figured out, but then came this unexpected turn of events. The whole thing keeps you on the edge of your seat until the very end, with plenty of surprises along the way. The final scene is both touching and well-deserved, but also completely unexpected.

I love how the movie shows the blossoming friendship and trust between two vastly different people. There's a huge gap between them, and they're from different walks of life with different views on the world. The boy is loud and sometimes a bit too cocky, while Wolchok is brooding and intense, but deep down, he's got a heart of gold.

I was really surprised by the horseback chase scene - it was so fresh and unexpected! I loved it.

I also enjoyed the jokes, which were spot on and never crossed the line into gross or tasteless territory. Don't get me wrong, this is an action movie with a dash of humor, not a full-on comedy.

I'm glad to report that the fistfights were plentiful, but they didn't leave me feeling uneasy. The focus was more on perseverance in the face of pain than on graphic violence.

The Verdict

I'm so glad I went to see Wolchok - those two hours flew by in a flash.

Thanks for reading, and I'll catch you all in the next one!