The Cuckoo (2003)
Review by Dindrane
Film:
DVD:

Written & Directed by Aleksandr Rogozhkin
Starring Anni-Kristiina Juuso, Ville Haapasalo, and Viktor Bychkov

Features:

• Making-of featurette
  
• Trailer
  

Released by: Columbia-Tristar
Region: 1
Rating: PG-13
Anamorphic: Yes

My Advice: Watch it.

Cuckoo is a very original film: in September of 1944, a Finnish sniper, labeled a coward by his fellows, is chained to a rock in a Nazi SS uniform as a kind of kamikaze sniper. He's expected to shoot as many Russians as he can before they kill him. Meanwhile, a Russian officer with anti-Soviet sentiments escapes on his way to his court martial. Both men are taken in by Anni, a Lapp widow and reindeer herder. None of them speak a word of the others' languages, and the film is totally in Russian, Lapp, and Finnish, but that doesn't seem to matter to the principles. There are many comic and tragic misunderstandings, but they still find a way to communicate when it matters.

The characterizations are fascinating. Veiko (Haapasalo), the former university student, is all philosophy and literary references. He tries to explain himself to the Russian (Bychkov) with references to Tolstoy, Dostoevsky, and even Hemingway. Anni (Juuso) just wants a man again, and Ivan just wants to be safe and free.

The film is beautifully shot with gorgeous settings. The acting is similarly top notch. Both of the men portray their mental and physical wounds with skill, even through the language barrier. Anni is mystical and supportive, willing to take in two men she doesn't know and care for them both, though of course she is hoping to get something out of it.

Much of the early film is sans dialogue, but the film manages to be riveting even so. When the dialogue does start, the sound quality, with depends upon clarity for both the misunderstandings and the truths that come out, is excellent. The sound effects, from Veiko's fires to the rattling of his chains; the Protestant Baroque music is also the perfect counterpoint to the mood of the film. It's interesting to see how they talk to each other in their own languages, almost babbling, knowing that the other cannot understand a word.

The extras are limited to the trailer and a making-of featurette. The featurette is quite interesting and basically takes the form of a series of comments from the actors, director, and producer; anyone who enjoyed the film will learn from this, such as the depths of the name of the film.

This movie is a good bet for anyone who likes character studies or is interested in issues like interpersonal relationships or communications. People fascinated by shamanism or spirituality will find much to explore. It's also just plain funny and interesting to most movie-goers. It is a movie about humanity, love, and kindness in the face of war and about what it's like to create your own reality. A great bet for those nights when you want to watch something different without turning off your brain.