Operation "Y" & Other Shurik's Adventures

Operation "Y" & Other Shurik's Adventures Review

Its not so easy to capture in words - what has made Shurik's comedies utterly funny to the Russian viewers. Let me give it a shot by describing one skit. So if you STILL don't know what this movie is about - pls don't read!

A notorius bully drunk refuses to let a pregnant lady a seat on the overcrowded bus. When our hero Shurik - a witty geeky student notices that, he right away camouflages into a blind man who harrasses a drunk by poking at him, which forces a ruffian to stand up - once that is done Shurik reveals himself and lets the lady sit. An enraged ruffian starts a fight - police is being called and the drunk is arrested.

As a punishment for this misdemeanor he is assigned some remedial jobs from the extremely polite and benevolent militia (soviet police) who allow him to make his own choice to which he replies by uttering "Is there spot in the liquor store?" to which the militia politely appologizes for the lack of such spot. Finally he gets assigned to a newly developing construction sight, but...he gets a supervisor - SHURIK! While the ruffian is happy that he is going to be able to take his vengeance on the student - the Shurik, naive and timid, creates odius situations for a bully, who eventually succombs and becomes something akin to a honest and SOBER labourer! You have to see this development!

Besides an unusual plot - the movie is full of slap-stick situations that give credit to the director, but to me the major humor is in intelligence and wit with which that era was depicted - both funny and optimistic, hopeful and kind of nostalgic. The soundtrack is awesome rock'n'roll (by the talented Zatzepin, courtesy V. Alo) that keeps you dancing for the duration of the skit as well as the rest of the movie. i really hope that if you are a first time non-russian viewer you will enjoy this. This eccentric comedy includes three sketches united by the main character, cranky Shurik, who often finds himself in the most incredible situations. He attempts to rehabilitate a bully over a grueling 15-day sentence, prepares to take a daunting exam, and tries to save a warehouse from certain burglary.