it is finally so absorbing because it plays like a lyrical road odyssey that’s also a detective story.

It isn't all that great, actually. Really cheesy and very predicable of how certain scenes are gonna turn play out. However, I guess that's the charm of it all, because I would consider this one of my guilty pleasures.

The thing I enjoyed most about the film is the fact that it doesn't shy away from being a super-sized-cliche;

One of the most extraordinary films you will see this year. Take that as you want.

A one sided western view of the Soviet General Secretarys visit to the USA in 1959. It shows how poorly he was treated, not only by those who invited him, but also by the general public. Even the narration describes his outrage at such rudeness as a temper tantrum. If you have any intelligence and are American, you will be embarrassed.