Moscow on the Hudson (1984)

Robin Williams in his fuzzy, sensitive mode with bittersweet touches plays a musician in a Russian circus who gets talked into defecting by a pal and does so (though the pal bails on him at the last minute)--in the middle of Bloomingdale's. A great concept, to be sure, but writer-director Paul Mazursky doesn't seem to know where to go from there. Williams winds up living in the same kind of poverty that he did in Russia, casting about for a way to make a living while both wallowing and drowning in the sudden tidal wave of freedom. Mazursky wants to make a point about how little we appreciate what we have, but he fails to entertain in the process--or at least to engage in a consistent way. --Marshall Fine Amazon.com

Great movie. Robin Williams is at his best. Really a touching movie.Great!!

Moscow on the Hudson is really an A#1 mivie. A Classic. Robin Wiolliams is at his est. I believe that Robin Williams should have won an Academy Award for his role. July 30, 2008

It expresses the bewilderment that early Russian immigrants felt

As someone whose family left Russia for America in the early to mid 70's this movie strikes a cord with me. I was too young to understand when this movie came out what my family felt when they came here. The sense of fear that Robins character feels when he is so close to being able to stay in America but the KGB will not allow him. Their watchful eye at every turn, even in America made Russians in that age feel justifiably paranoid. Robins overreaction in the super market to the choices in different brands of coffee. I found that hilarious as did members of my family but it is a humorous and accurate depiction of what we felt back then. The choices available was incredibly overwheeling. Seeing in that movie the drab lifestyle in communist Russia and the only thing that kept a person sane was idle chatter with ones neighbors. Of course I shouldnt forget the kindness expressed by the average American New Yorker. Also, the justifiable pride in being an American and standing up or someone seeking the safety of our borders. The only thing I would add to this film is maybe fast forwarding 20+ years when the Berlin Wall fell and the Communist Russia imploded. There a collective sigh of relief could be portrayed and Robins character would be reunited with this friends and family. December 5, 2007

The great artistic lap in Robin Williams' career!

In those times of great political changes, where the use of the term Perestroika was very common, this film somehow fostered voluntary or involuntarily, the visible contradictions between West and East, when a musician remains shocked because of the wonders of Bloomingdale's department store. This caustic metaphor lets us to get inside a romantic comedy, plenty of ingenious dialogues. Obviously the direction of this smart director, the talent of Robin Williams and the alluring presence of Maria Conchita Alonso, were fundamental pillars in the striking success of this film, that dated us back to other two similar and winning works: Comrade X (1940) and Ninotchka (1939).
November 21, 2007

Robin Williams at his finest!

I don't always agree with Robin Williams' standup humor but IMAO, he is a consumate actor bordering on dramatic and comedic genius. In this film he convincingly potrays a Russian circus musician that follows thru the dreams of his close friend by defecting to America.

What strikes in my mind about this film is when his girlfriend and many immigrants are granted U.S. citizenship. With the current state of today's political correctness, the judge's words still ring true when she states "no longer will you be a hyphenated American". What a delightful statement for all Americans. June 7, 2007

A Forgotten Gem of Robin Williams

One of Robin Williams Early works and Sadly a Forgotten Gem of him. Sometimes Sad, Sometimes Funny as can be it showed his range and abilities even then. He Plays a Russian Circus Musician Tasked to keep an Eye on his friend who has made "Noises" about defecting when the Circus Travels to NYC. Don't want to ruin the Story or Surprises (If you are surprised) but this is a wonderful Story that will take you from Sad to Happy to Laughing and back again.

If you liked Dead Poets Society you will LOVE this. February 23, 2006

More reviews at Amazon.com ...