User reviews

At first glance this may look like an industrial drama, the typical Soviet genre where the conflict plays out among the workers, the 5-year plan, work ethic, or similar.

Here, however, the picture is complicated by the nuanced portrayal of the director, who can't seem to find fulfillment even if he is outwardly only concerned about his shipyard's production. He fails to forge a deep connection with his wife who is clearly unsatisfied and longing for more. There are incredibly poignant silent scenes between the two of them as they walk around the evening Leningrad bracing for that all-important conversation... that never comes...

Music is used to great effect. We don't hear the lines of the internal monologue but we can feel the thoughts racing through the director's head. I have to single out creative camera work as well.

It's the melodramatic component that redeems this would-be industrial drama, though the latter regrettably takes a lot more screen time. One might even say the film's message is sacrilegeous for the era as it questions the value of production achievements for personal fulfillment.