SERIOUSLY. This is what the crap Hollywood still puts out?

Good start, but then it gets ruined

The movie's not perfect, but it sticks the landing of its message. It was engaging - thrilling at times - and I personally thought it was a great time.

This movie tries so hard to be funny, yet it falls flat every time. Just another example of recycled ideas repackaged with women in an attempt to appeal to a certain audience.

A price winning movie?? What is going on in the film industry? This a depressing story with no point to it. A miserable and unhappy Russian bride, that should have no worry in the world since she lives like a princess, is unhappy in her relationship with a music producer. When she mets his son, she is slowly falling for him. Now that alone would be very strange enough, but we don't really find out what's the fascination with the son Michael. He is educated in the English language beyond the norm, even we are a tad confused if he is just a teacher or a professor, but we have no evidence for either, since the guy is not capable of holding any intelligent dialogues, be it for the lack of available words or him being simply stupid. After torturing myself through the movie, I was totally let down by the ending, where the main character is back to square one. Researching the lead actress on IMDb I found the following: She has been called the Russian Julia Roberts because of her stunning beauty. Wow! It never occurred to me that Mrs. Roberts has any kind of beauty, except of course one likes crooked legs, no hips and lips pumped with botox, but this Russian actress is definitely much uglier, if that is possible. If these women are considered attractive by some, how would one describe Juliet Binoche, Jessica Biel or Rosamund Pike? OK, sorry, I am getting of topic, but I never understood why recent directors take on topics like that. John Cassavetes has dealt with similar topics in the past and has done a fantastic job. But if one is not on that intellectual level, why bother.

interested to see the comments about boredom and apathy. for me, that's what makes it painful, on a certain scale worth exploring. those "hints" only of pathos, the withholding of basic human emotion, the absence of basic communication and some basic caretaking instincts (with the exception of somewhat successful attempts at sporadic parenting). i know from personal experience that a certain superficial world (alongside many gorgeous, fulfilling worlds) -- existing as it does around the very art that expresses the great suffering and joy of our culture (i.e., blues and other idioms) -- causes visceral pain if one tries to jump in, unaware and unprotected. viewers may feel that vulnerability and become quite disturbed. such a creative-world of superficiality, it seems, usually results from cumulative effect of chemicals (drugs, booze), money (denied... or accepted without feeling worthy or knowing what to do with it), or promises unfulfilled for artists and others around them who don't make it quite the way they planned. complicate that with a very distinct set of circumstances that worldly Russian female émigrés understand all too well, and there is no choice but to tell an insecure story in a wavy, unresolved way. i live in hope. always hope. but i thought the film was brilliant. its examples of every single nerve crying out for attention were succinct. i did not think the characters were unworthy of redemption, though i "liked" some more than others. redemption doesn't have to come in the movie. and god knows for some it never comes. i'm crazy about the terrific music. suffice it to say memphis blues + rip torn + an intelligent plot of unrelenting human drama equal a no brainer for me.

I was one of the few to get up at 7am, and walk over a mile in the snow to see this film in its initial early-morning screening at the Sundance Film Festival at Park City in January '05. The film went on to win "Best of the Fest" against formidable competition.I loved Dina Korzun's performance: nuanced, minimalist, perfect. For all of us older guys who've thought of having a fling with a slim Russian "ice princess" it was good to become familiar with Dina's character, and realize there might be a downside to such a liaison. But with such acting potential from the two leads, I felt that the story wandered, and the movie ended achingly unresolved.

Forty Shades of Blue is an extremely beautiful and moving picture, that slowly crawls under your skin, and stays with you for a long time. The character Laura becomes a nuanced and credible person, and her portrait is the main reason that the movie works, but the other main characters also show moving performances. All is weaved together in a very well-written screenplay, and complemented by beautiful cinematography and pace, that allows the story and the characters to develop. It is a movie that suggests, rather than exemplifies, not much is said, but much happens - I was deeply touched after seeing this movie, the Sundance award was so justified! You have to take your time, and let the movie SHOW you a story - this is not action, this is a drama - give it a shot, and you will be rewarded! 9 out of 10