Le clan des gangsters

I enjoyed this little fictional piece because it's a story about an imaginary clan of criminals in a fictitious province in the USSR that was supposed to have been an open air prison for criminal families from all over the USSR. It isn't meant to be true or true-to-life.

Before seeing this film, I had never liked John Malkovich's characters in any of his films. This character of his was likable. I also liked Peter Stormare's character , Ink, the tattoo artist. The rest of the characters weren't really memorable, but the film was humorous in spots and entertaining on other levels.

Most of the 1 and 2 star reviews attack the story for not being an accurate depiction of life in Siberia. It isn't set in Siberia, it just focuses on a fictitious clan of criminals who were said to have been sent there from Siberia. I'm sure that all of those reviewers feel very self righteous and self satisfied for having set the record straight. Reviewers like those would probably write an entry for the Goofs section that reads: "The guy who is called Grandfather Kuzya is John Malkovich, not Grandfather Kuzya." Enough.

While I appreciate the technical skill of the cinematography, the dialogue, character development, and editing must have been created through an alcoholic haze fueled by bad potato Vodka. It's too bad the cinematographer was not involved in a project that included a competent director and production team. How John Malcovich took on this role must be a fascinating and convoluted story. His performance was no "stretch" and Malcovich's abilities as an actor are not on display in Deadly Code or whatever name this ersatz piece of filming wants to use. The plot is trite and there is nothing fresh or revealing in this "comic book tale" of organized ethnic crime in Russia. This subject matter, when focusing on the transformation of the USSR to the current 15 republics, provides fodder for great movie making. However, this particular story is ludicrous, inexplicable, and simply makes no sense. Malcovich's acting is an over the top campy goof, but the other performances are so weak, especially Kolya's the young lead, that Malcovich's thespian romp seems Olivierarian in comparison. The only redeeming part of this movie, as I mentioned, is the cinematography. Thus, if you are an aspiring film maker, watch this with the sound off. It's the only way to tolerate it.

I love John Malkovich and every time he is on screen the movie lights up. The way he portrays the character makes you almost forget about the characters talking English for no good reason (with an accent but still). It would have made sense if they talked in their native language. Obviously something Malkovich wouldn't be able to do. Still the movie has to say something about "education" and life itself. Boys will be boys ... until they grow up.

They can take different roads though, depending on the path they choose. It's obvious where this leads, though you have a distraction or two along the way (plus a time jumping theme all over the movie). That will either confuse some people (not me and a lot of others here on IMDb) or make them big fans of the movie itself. So it sets high goals, but doesn't achieve all of them. Life lessons for some, a nice story for others.

Lots of thing will seem familiar in this one, including the sympathetic criminals with a strict moral code, the conflict between the brothers. There isn't much depth in the characters, the flashback scenes are just there for the sake of telling the story.

But there's one thing why should see this movie: everything is just so elaborately made in it. The sets, the cinematography, the dialogues show a huge amount of works. And Salvatore's directing can make even the most pretentious scenes effective. Among the actors, there's no difference between the young Litvanian ones and stars like Malkovich, they're all great. (The only thing that bothered me was the forced and unrealistic Russian accent.)

It's less about its characters and more about guilt and morals, but it's atmosphere makes you forget about all of the weaknesses. It's not really original, but the atmosphere makes it a unique film.

Every once in awhile a person has to be in a certain mood to watch certain movies. Does that make sense? "Educazione siberana" or Siberian Education is a mood movie. It is a somewhat slow drama about a small group of boys growing up as members of a ethnic Siberian community. If you don't know a little about these people, it's much like the mob and it was created by the Soviet penal system.

It's a slow movie but it is a human drama. DOn't let the title fool you this is an English speaking movie. Although it takes place in the Soviet Union it is a very relateble tale. A story about how people change and grow apart especially in the face serving time in prison. John Malkovich plays the part of an old, wise grandfather in it. He is his usual great acting self, but his role is limited.

I do have a problem with this movie though. There are somethings I felt needed a little explaining, and could have made this movie from good to great. The main character, at some point leaves the community, and joins the Russian Military. There are scenes interspersed in the movie with him in uniform as the story of the past is unfolding. But it stops short of giving us a good clear picture of if this effected his family, or the community. It is just an odd way to get him to the end he is seeking. He could have taken care of the problem, right then and there, without all the years passing by.

I give it a seven. I usually have to be in a mood to watch a long, unfolding drama such as this one, and I was. A few problems don't ruin it too much but would have went a long way.