User reviews

"Mimino" is one of the best and most popular Russian-speaking comedies ever made, it's a classic and is still often shown on TV. There certainly is a reason - despite a simple plot it's not primitive at all and is still funny even after the twentieth watching. The only big problem with it is that people who don't speak Russian well probably won't understand the humor, as most of it based on the characters grammar mistakes and accents (Georgian and Armenian).

In several small roles famous Russian actors are cast, notably Vladimir Basov as the opera singer and Savelij Kramarov as the convicted criminal.

A memorable quote: "Listen, I'll tell you one clever thing, just don't get hurt: I must drive to the airport first, because in the airport there's one Georgian, my familiar friend; I'll come to him and tell him - 'Hello, Valiko-chan', and he'll say - 'Wah!'; so it will be pleasant to him and when it will be pleasant to my friend, it will be pleasant to me and when it will be pleasant to me I'll drive in such a way that it will be pleasant to you too!" (as you see, it's quite hard to translate the style - the original is a lot better).

Helicopter pilot from Georgia (the one in the former Soviet Union) goes to Moscow hoping to become an international pilot. There he befriends a guy from Armenia (near Georgia, but not the same!), runs out of money, finds himself in jail, etc. The movie plays out lots of funny differences between Russian (read - European) and Georgian (more Eastern) cultures, provincial vs. big city, and others. And as a golden thread throughout the whole movie - kindness, decency and warm hearts of the heroes. This play on cultural differences evoke "My Big Fat Greek Wedding", which was made thirty years after "Mimino"...

I am not sure if this movie has ever been subtitled in English, but I am sure it would be a delight to American viewers.

Friends call Valiko Mizandari "Mimino", which means "falcon" in Georgian. Working as a helicopter pilot in his own village Telavi, Mimino (Vachtang Kikabidze, famous Georgian singer and actor) delivers mail, fruit, sheep, and sometimes, cows. His greatest dream is to fly real, big aircraft. He leaves for Moscow to pursue his dream and to fly with the big international air company "Aeroflot". In Moscow, Mimino finds himself in many different situations, funny, sad, and even dramatic. Upon his arrival to Moscow, he stays first in the posh hotel that overlooks the Red Square where he checked in as a participant in the international Medical conference – thanks to the phone call of an influential relative of his relative. (Don't ask - this is one of the realities of life in the Soviet Union). In the hotel he meets an Armenian, Rubik Khachikyan, a truck driver, who becomes his friend (uniquely talented Frunzik Mktrchyan, one of the leading comedy actors in the Soviet Union who also put the real emotional deepness in every part he played). Rubik was given the room by mistake. When thrown out of hotel, and run out of money, two men would spend the night in Rubik's truck. Then Mimino accidentally bumps into a man who had offended his sister several years back…Georgia is the country where the words "honor", "pride", and "decency" mean a lot for a real man and as the result of the unexpected meeting, Mimino would spend several days in jail and go on trial for teaching a scoundrel a few lessons…. Finally, Mimino becomes a pilot of a supersonic jet liner and flies all over the world but wherever he goes, he feels homesick, and Georgia is always on his mind - its skies, its mountains and its valleys and the faces of his family and friends…

Made twenty-eight years ago, this dramedy has been one of the most beloved among the viewers of all republics and many nationalities of the former USSR. It has achieved a cult status, and its one-liners and quotes have become the elements of every day conversations. Its creators are very talented artists – the writer/director Georgi Danelia, ("Walking the Streets of Moscow", "Don't Grieve", "Autumn Marathon"), and his co/writer, my favorite Russian prosaic, Victoria Tokareva (Fellini said about her, "What a kind and wild imagination she has" and he seriously considered making a movie with her – unfortunately, it did not happen) had created a kind, warm, lyrical but in the same time funny, insightful, at times, sad story with the heroes real, earthy, decent, and very human. Both, Kikabidze and especially Mktrchyan gave their best performances in this timeless (and I am not afraid of this definition) masterpiece. Comes with the highest recommendation. The DVD with English version is available from RUSCICO.

Never boring, obscene, or stupid, but definitely absolutely charming and legendary. Together with "Kin-Dza-Dza" it achieves the highest heights of cinematography. Both these outstanding masterpieces belong to one and the same director. These two friendly movies are something very special and if you soak up their atmosphere you will definitely see their high class. Our modern cinema can hardly rival their greatness. Under the influence of such rare but perfect movies people would have become more attentive to each other and would have had more common sense. Cinematography would have been a healer and a good reliable teacher then.

The main character is the Man. Probably he is a good-for-nothing brawler, a bad poet, and a poor conversationalist. And he surely does not have lots of dough. And no lethal weapons under his jacket. But he has a heart and behaves in every single situation like a hero. The woman who rejects and mocks him will understand her mistake sooner or later… Why are we writing and reading reviews on IMDb? Even an answer to this question can be found in "Mimino". Remember that scene when he makes a phone call and gets to Israel instead of his village? What a common man of today would do in exactly the same situation? And what the Man would do? Watch it to see. An eternal cinema classic.

Give it a 10, "Zdachi ne nado!" Thanks for attention.

for Vakhtang Kikabidze performance, one of Soviet cinema legends . for the music. and for the game with national identity details. nostalgic, fresh, warm, it is testimony of a time and proof of a kind of freedom. show of small things, picture of cultural misunderstandings, story of honest man in big city, it is not exactly a comedy but bitter reflection to sense of desire. moral lesson, like many other films of period, it is, today, nostalgic view of self - definition. beautiful images of Georgia, streets of Moscow, silhouette of churches, meetings and troubles, the secondary characters of village, the people of city, the cow in air and the adorable Hachikian in Frunzik Mkrchyan are parts of touching entertainment. In this conditions, Mimino remains a bright face of a period , poetic, childish and really precious.

No movie has ever captured so well the feelings of love and sorrow, pride and fairness as this one. And, mind you, not through the stupid didactics or a trivial calculatable formula. No other movie has such a synergy of fundamental humanity ideas, screenplay, directon, actors performance, music and cinematography.

This movie is a peak for the most of its participants - never again they've achieved such an excellence!

Mimino can be said to be the single best Kino to come out of Georgia. A light hearted romp about one man's heart and the charming Muscovite smile that takes him on his journey.

I don't want to give too much away, but let me say you do not know comedy until you have seen a cow being transported by a helicopter. Mimino also learns the Armenians are actually decent folk, which is nice to know.

IMDb score 10/10, I would give it 12 but I can't. Top score for being a Soviet comedy that is actually funny, and bonus ducks for creating awareness of the Nation of Georgia.

This is the best movie about human relationship. The best tragicomedy ever! Danelia's masterpiece. Kikabidze's and Mkrtchan's best roles. I presume this is the bset soviet and russian film. Shame that many ppl in the world didnt see it!!!

i think that this movie is all about humanity and deep friendship - even the in harsh reality of former soviet union.

and let me finish this comment by telling all of U: "Love is only what you need" I just have been notified that there no enough lines in my comments - so it goes like this:

this film is among the very best that ever left soviet movie forge. and the movie director is no slouch.

and the fact that i am a Georgian national like he is adds to my pride of being the Georgian.

and i love u all

What can I say about this film? I'm a fan of Russian and old USSR cinema, speak Russian, and have traveled in Russia and central Asia - so I am fairly well versed in the Slavophile mythology of the Russian soul. This is a film that sort of plays to that, and I am sure by writing a critical review of this movie, I will be accused of not understanding. This film attempts to tell a story about Mimino, a Georgian pilot who travels to the big city with dreams of being an international pilot, only to learn that there is "no place like home". Quaint? Yes. Interesting? Not really.

There are of course many stereotypes in this film as well. Frunzik Mkrtchyan as Rubik Khachikyan is quite funny, but I doubt this character would endear himself to many Armenians.

The Georgian landscapes are attractive and interesting, there is lots of gentle humor in the movie ... but overall this is a film only worth watching if you have an interest in Russian films.

This is one of the BEST and MOST POPULAR Soviet Comedies ever!

In all former Soviet states this film is still loved and admired, so It's pity that non-Russian speaking audience will never get even 10% of its jokes and humor. There are several reasons for this:

1) To understand this (and actually all soviet film) one must not just know the Russian language - one must know the Soviet system, soviet culture, lifestyle.

2) Those who think that Soviet UNION=Russia are very wrong, and here the fact that USSR consisted of 15 different states (and hundreds of nations actually) has a great importance - as the story concerns the "adventures" of two southerners (a Georgian and an Armenian) in Moscow (that was both capital of Russia and USSR)-great deal of humor comes from their accents, as well as cultural differences. The director himself is Georgian who mostly lives in Russia and most of his films concern Russia (almost all of them are very popular in Russia) Only in one film (Ne Goryui!- that is equally as good as this one though very different) the action takes place in Georgia. (other much recommended films are Kin-Dza-Dza and Autumn Marathon..)

3) It is very important to know certain cultural confrontation that existed in USSR and still exists in Russia - Caucasians (Russia is the only v\country where this term means "black, dark person" - i.e. Georgians, Armenians, Azeri, and others) are rather unpopular in Russia (Russian nationalists consider them second main enemy after Jews, now due to Chechnya war Caucasian people became the most unpopular in Russia ); Characters of Georgian And Armenian visually fit the most standard stereotypes that exist in Russia (- big flat hat, moustaches, etc.) Armenians and Georgians for thousands of years had rivalry and competition, each trying to prove that it is older, better, and more cultural than the other;

• AND DESPUITE ALL THIESE Danelia MADE a film where there is no national problem - there are good people and not so good people, friendship and understanding between all these nations win - and therefore the film has a great political-subtexts - though it is delivered so lightly and tenderly that nobody thinks to call it propaganda or political film- its just a CLASSIC SOVIET COMEDY, delicious and funny, not that slapstick-cake-into-face staff, but film about real people, real feelings and real values.

"Mimino" is one of those films everyone in the Old Soviet Union has seen at least a dozen times. The phrases, ideomatic expressions, and wonderful accents have become a stable of Russian humor. A simple story of a country bumpkin aspiring great hights is symbolic and metaphorical of Russians (by that I mean anyone in the CIS) in general, be they from Georgia or Turkmenistan And how can one not hum one of the catchiest tunes of the Soviet Era films. Chita Drita Chita Margolito.....DA

Thats my favorite movie EVER. I think is HYSTERICAL funny.

I just saw this film and totally fell in love with it! The actors are so realistically touching, while the situations are hilariously unbelievable.

I have a found for Soviet cinema, as they teach you many aspects of the times and life over there (mostly during the Brezhnev's years); but I also love bitter-sweet stories, as they're really hard to find.

A must-see, as it's one of the best hidden gems you can find!

This movie isn't just a movie! It is about country and about ideology, and about human beings remaining human beings with all their ups and downs regardless any coward ideology and any stiff system they have to live with. If You ever tell "MIMINO" to any ex-soviet person, who lived there in 1970s, he will give you quotes from this movie non-stop for dozen minutes, he will laugh for himself and repeatedly say "and then, remember this?... or how about another tune..." Georgian and Armenian meet in Moscow - both with their simple lives and some dreams, and lead us in their complex relationship of jealousy, anger, determination, friendship and outstanding standby. George Danelia's masterpiece movie based on play by Georgian "Tonino Guerra" - Rezo Gabriadze, famous artist, director of Tbilisi puppet theater, and such a diamonds fall of outstanding actors leaded by Buba Kikabidze and Frunzik Mkrtchyan. Many serious themes are touched with impeccable Goergian humor and with lovely Georgian songs. I'm afraid the movie cannot be truly appreciated by non-Soviet audience - there is a special "code" in every joke there, but ones who knew that monster country personally they would love to remember its few best sides - people, entertainment, friendship...

A very pure and simple film.

This film captures the purity and depth of human emotion in such a short and simple way that makes it so understandable and pleasing to watch. The film shows how a person changes, how experiences shape people and it just shows everyday life in a very beautiful way. This film just makes you smile, it shows the charm of life, the charm of good people and the fact that we're slowly forgetting how great life can be. It shows the power of kindness and compassion, it reveals how some people just want to make others feel better and how meaningful that can be. The actors are also amazing, they're charismatic, funny and just seem like genuine people. This film creates this cozy, warm and comforting atmosphere that's rare to find nowadays. The movie conveys the beauty of simplicity, how valuable simplicity is in the modern day world. Modern society has lost this ability to be kind just for the sake of it, we always need a reason, a motive, but sometimes it's important to remember the value of cheering others up, after all it makes you feel good and the person. Overall a great warm film.

There are things to like with this movie but the plot is disjointed and confusing, there are deus ex machina elements, and the main character's actions aren't fully justified.

To enjoy you must not only know Russian well, but the reality of the USSR in late 70s. The plot is driven by highly unlikely events. However, the two principal characters are believable and recognizable, their irrational actions motivated, the dialog and expressions are trend setting, the actors at their best.

After decades, it remains the same. The humor, the seductive plot, the lovely Vakhtang Kikabidze performance. And, sure, the feeling of old world rediscover. Because all is heroic, nice and hopeful like in the time of childhood. The friendship, the ideals, the dialogues and cultural clashes are the good points for one of Soviet films proposing not exactly the picture of a social reality or moralistic lesson but just a simple story about greatness of life.