the audience applauded

The biggest problem with this movie is it’s a little better than you think it might be, which somehow makes it worse. As in, it takes itself a bit too seriously, which makes most of the movie feel kind of dull.

True to its essence, the characters remain on the same line and manage to entertain the viewer, each highlighting their own distinctive qualities or touches.

It really made me laugh, but for some moments I was tearing up because I could relate so much.

The movie is an adaptation of a very old Russian satirical novel. To adapt the novel for the screen and make a movie was a long-time dream of the director of this movie. During the most stringent Soviet rule he couldn't make it, the censorship didn't allow it for some reasons (that could be sometimes truly bizarre and incomprehensible). Finally he succeeded and the movie was made. The main character - young clerk who was supposed to be 17 years old, was played by brilliant Georgy Vitsin, who at the time of filming was over 50 ! The film is very light and playful, but never dumb, no unnecessary banana-peel jokes. It is a real "cure against the stress" and also another example of how a funny movie can also be a work of art.

Poor clerk in XIX Century Russia is looking for a rich bride. The problem is that rich brides are looking for a rich husbands. Good performance by Vitsin and the entire cast. One of the best movies made about about Russian life of the period. Note: some jokes are typical Russian, so outsider might find them rather strange.