Okay, let's fire up the trusty VCR in our minds and pop in a tape that, while maybe not wall-to-wall explosions, delivers its own unique brand of glorious 90s chaos. Forget sleek Hollywood productions for a moment; we're diving headfirst into the gloriously unvarnished world of "Peculiarities of the National Fishing" (Особенности национальной рыбалки) from 1998. If you caught its predecessor, "Peculiarities of the National Hunt," you knew you were in for something special, but this sequel somehow manages to double down on the absurdity.
### Lost at Sea (Almost)
Remember finding those odd foreign film tapes at the back of the rental store? The ones with slightly dodgy covers but whispered legends surrounding them? "National Fishing" often felt like that – a discovery, a portal into a completely different comedic sensibility. Fresh off the runaway success of "National Hunt" (1995), director Aleksandr Rogozhkin reunited his beloved cast for another round of distinctly Russian misadventures. The premise is deceptively simple: General Ivolgin (Aleksei Buldakov), huntsman Kuzmich (Viktor Bychkov), and the perpetually flustered Lyova Soloveichik (Semyon Strugachyov) decide a quiet fishing trip to neighbouring Finland is just the ticket. Naturally, copious amounts of vodka are involved, navigational skills prove... elastic, and before you know it, they've drifted significantly off course. The genius? They end up back in Russia but think they're still in Finland, leading to a cascade of hilarious misunderstandings fueled by cultural assumptions and, yes, more vodka.
### The Practical Charm of Chaos
Now, this isn't your typical action flick packed with meticulously choreographed fights or exploding miniatures. The "action" here is the glorious, unfolding chaos generated by the characters themselves. What feels so real, so tangibly 90s about it, is the lack of polish. Rogozhkin shoots with an almost documentary-like sparseness. Scenes often play out in long takes, letting the actors' chemistry and the inherent absurdity of the situation breathe. It feels grounded, even when things get utterly ridiculous. Think less Michael Bay, more like watching your slightly unhinged uncles try to assemble a barbecue after one too many.
This film was made in a specific time and place – post-Soviet Russia – and it shows. You can practically feel the constraints, maybe a tight budget, reflected in the filmmaking. But instead of hindering it, this contributes to its unique charm. The locations feel authentic, the interactions raw. There's a practical, lived-in quality that CGI-heavy modern comedies often lack. It captures a certain national character with affectionate satire – the camaraderie, the resignation, the ability to find humour (and drink) in almost any predicament. It’s worth noting that the success of these films was astronomical in Russia and former Soviet republics; lines of dialogue entered the popular lexicon almost overnight, a testament to how perfectly Rogozhkin captured a specific cultural nerve.
### Anchors of the Film: The Cast
The heart and soul of this peculiar voyage rests squarely on the shoulders of its lead actors. Aleksei Buldakov as General Ivolgin is the stoic (yet frequently intoxicated) centre, delivering profound-sounding toasts that are utterly nonsensical with absolute conviction. His performance became legendary, almost inseparable from the actor himself. Viktor Bychkov's Kuzmich is the earthy, practical one (relatively speaking), often the instigator of the most hairbrained schemes. And Semyon Strugachyov as Lyova provides the perfect foil – the more intellectual, easily exasperated member of the group constantly bewildered by the escalating madness. Their chemistry is undeniable; you believe these guys have known, and probably exasperated, each other for years. It's the kind of ensemble work that feels effortless, honed by their previous outing together.
### More Than Just Laughs?
Beneath the relentless drinking jokes and farcical situations, there’s a warm, albeit blurry, core. It’s a film about friendship, about navigating a confusing world, and about finding joy in the simple (and often messy) things. It doesn't shy away from poking fun at stereotypes, but it does so with an insider's wink rather than malice. I remember watching this on a copied VHS tape, the picture quality dubious, the subtitles occasionally lagging, but laughing uncontrollably. It felt like discovering a secret handshake, a shared joke from a world away. Did anyone else stumble upon this gem back in the day, perhaps on a grainy tape passed between friends?
The film wasn't aiming for technical perfection or deep philosophical insights. It was aiming for laughter, relatability (within its cultural context), and a certain vodka-fueled escapism. And on those terms, it succeeded brilliantly. It became a cultural touchstone, spawning further sequels and cementing its place in the pantheon of beloved post-Soviet comedies.
Rating: 7.5 / 10
Justification: While its humour is very specific and might not land universally, "Peculiarities of the National Fishing" is a pitch-perfect execution of what it sets out to be: a hilariously chaotic, character-driven comedy steeped in 90s Russian culture. Its performances are iconic within its homeland, the direction captures the mood perfectly, and its sheer, unpolished absurdity remains infectious. It loses points for niche appeal and reliance on familiarity with the first film, but gains massively for its unique charm, cultural impact, and the genuine laughter it still provokes.
Final Thought: Forget high-octane chases; sometimes the most memorable action is just trying to figure out which country you're accidentally drinking in. A true vodka-soaked time capsule.