Watch Back in the USSR
- R
- 1991
- 1 hr 27 min
-
4.9 (483)
Back in the USSR is a comedy film from 1992, directed by Deran Sarafian and starring Frank Whaley, Natalya Negoda, and Roman Polanski. The story follows a young American man named Rudy (Whaley), who travels to the Soviet Union in the 1970s to visit his girlfriend, Dasha (Negoda), who has returned to her home country. Rudy is astonished by the Soviet way of life and soon finds himself getting caught up in a variety of bizarre situations.
The film begins with Rudy arriving in Moscow, where he is greeted by Dasha's father, who takes him on a tour of the city. Rudy is immediately struck by the stark contrast between the Soviet Union and the United States. Everything from the buildings to the clothing is drab and utilitarian, and Rudy is constantly reminded of the Communist ideology that dominates the country. However, he is determined to make the best of his trip and is excited to see Dasha again.
When Rudy finally reunites with Dasha, he is overjoyed to discover that she still loves him. They begin to explore Moscow together, visiting the famous sights and meeting some of Dasha's friends. However, Rudy quickly realizes that life in the Soviet Union is not as easy as he thought it would be. The shortage of basic goods like food and clothing is a constant source of frustration, and the bureaucracy of the government seems to be designed to make every task as difficult as possible.
Despite these challenges, Rudy begins to adapt to life in the Soviet Union. He helps Dasha's family with their work, takes part in political rallies and demonstrations, and even learns some Russian. However, he still has a lot to learn about the country, and he soon finds himself getting into trouble.
One of the main themes of the film is the clash between American and Soviet culture. Rudy's optimism and enthusiasm stand in stark contrast to the cynicism and resignation of the Soviet people, who have been conditioned to accept their lot in life. Rudy's attempts to introduce American customs and values to his Russian friends often fall flat, and he is regarded with a mixture of curiosity and suspicion.
The film also explores the complicated relationship between Rudy and Dasha. Although they are deeply in love, they come from very different worlds, and it is clear that their relationship will face many challenges. Dasha is torn between her feelings for Rudy and her loyalty to her country, and Rudy struggles to understand the sacrifices that Dasha and her family have made in the name of the Communist cause.
Overall, Back in the USSR is a funny, thought-provoking movie that offers a unique perspective on life behind the Iron Curtain. Its combination of slapstick humor and social commentary make it an entertaining and engaging film that will appeal to a wide range of audiences.
Back in the USSR is a 1991 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 27 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 4.9.