Russkies (1987)

I was just telling someone about this movie last week, then lo and behold, it was on Drive-in Classics yesterday. Well, naturally I had to watch it. These are my observations.First off, this movie is interesting mainly from a political standpoint. It was made at a time when the Cold War was just starting to thaw thanks to Gorby's twin policies of Glasnost and Perestroika. Thus, the theme of this movie is "Russians are people too, and we can all learn to love each other despite our differing political viewpoints". Cheesy? You betcha.The plot concerns a Russian sailor who gets stranded in Florida and is discovered by three pubescent boys. Things get complicated as these are army brats - two of their fathers are right-wing, anti-commie reactionaries who fought in 'Nam, and one of the kids' fathers was a conscientious objector. Thus, there's a struggle as to whether they should turn the Commie in to the authorities or not. Eventually though, they come to love him, and teach him about all things American. Conviniently enough, he gets stranded right before July 4th - which somehow he's completely unaware of. "Revolution?", he says, when told about the American version. As if...In any event, this movie is 80s through and through, right down to the vile, wretched soundtrack. It's interesting mainly as an historical curiosity, a period piece.It's also interesting to note that the Soviet Union collapsed within five years after this movie was made. Perhaps it's time for a remake with either an Iranian or a North Korean in the lead role.

So, the message that Russians are people just like Americans gives some substance to this film. Clearly, this was intended for a cold war audience, but the theme can obviously still apply today. However, the constant fear of homosexuals makes these boys quite the hypocrites. Whether the boys are fighting or explaining American culture to the Russian, it is quite clear that gay is bad. When the boys fight, they refer to each other as homos. When the boys help dress the Russian, they repeatedly make gestures implying the bad outfits chosen are gay. Even when the Russian tries to give the boys a hug, they refuse on the grounds that it is gay.It appears that the real message of this movie is: Don't hate the Russians, just hate the gays...

I'll admit I am very skeptical when it comes to old movies. Lots of times I won't even rent them because they are so poorly made compared to newer movies, in my opinion at least. But, this movie was surprisingly good. I thought the plot was really sweet and Joaquin did a really good job. I couldn't believe how young he was. The only other movie i had seen him in was Signs (which he was great in by the way). I thought the other actors did really well even though i don't know who any of them are seeing as it was an older movie and as i mentioned earlier i basically just watch new releases. In all i would probably give this movie an 8/10

POSS A BIT OF A SPOILER!! I first saw this film in 1988 and i LOVED it. As i remember it, it is about 3 young kids who find a russian sailor washed up on a usa beach, and they decide to hide him, but he wants to discover more of where he is and leaves where he has been staying. This is a very true 80's movie and one that reminds me a lot of my own childhood as when me and my brother and friends were younger we used to hide and go on mad adventures. I would say if you like 80's movies like the Goonies and Adventures in baby sitting you will love this ace of a movie. I would argree srtongly with the other person who has commented on this film, it is a VERY difficult film to find anywhere, most of my current friends dont beleive me that it even exists i have not been able to source it from anywhere!! Anyway if you do get to see it ENJOY!!