Taxi Blues

Stars: Piotr Mamonov, Piotr Zaitchenko. Director Pavel Lounguine picked up a well-deserved Best Director nod at the 1990 Cannes Film Festival for this penetrating black comedy from the Soviet Union. The story of a rather odd couple, Taxi Blues stars Pyotr Zaichenko as Chlykov, a Moscow taxi driver who believes that hard work, exercise, and faith in one's country equal the good life. Enter Lyosha (Mamonov), an alcoholic Jewish saxophone player who catches a ride in Chlykov's taxi one evening, and then omits paying him. Chlykov tracks the musician down, takes his sax, and heads for a buyer. Changing his mind, Chlykov goes back and grabs Lyosha himself, and puts him to work--first at the station washing cabs, and later around the house. The naive optimist Chlykov believes that he can make a new man out of the cynic Lyosha. It's a very bizarre love-hate relationship that holds our attention even as we are repelled by the characters. Strangely, not the least of Taxi Blues considerable achievements is that we the viewers remain fascinated even though the characters are often repulsive: sometimes sexist, sometimes weak beyond pity, sometimes vicious to themselves or others. Unquestionably the most open movie to come out of the crumbling Soviet Union, Taxi Blues is a rough and raw look at camaraderie, jealousy, injustice, and power-shifting between two men on the streets of Moscow. Audience: Although this is being compared to 1988's Little Vera (also from the Soviet Union), Taxi Blues is a superior film in every way. Foreign films buffs and people who like good movies will appreciate this. (R. Pitman)[DVD Review—Jan. 20, 2009—Koch Lorber, 110 min., in Russian w/English subtitles, not rated, $24.98—Making its first appearance on DVD, 1990's Taxi Blues sports a good transfer and Dolby Digital sound. DVD extras are limited to trailers. Bottom line: although short on extras, it's nice to see this fine foreign film finally making its debut on DVD.]