mwelsch
I saw this film when it first came out – in a theatre no less! – and it is still one of my favorites; it is such a sweet, little film. I rate it right up there with Cousin Cousine, A Brief Vacation (Una Breve Vacanza,) and My Friend Henry (Ystäväni Henry) as must see foreign films. It seems kind of silly to have to provide 10 lines of review when a brief statement says all I have to say. There are, of course many excellent foreign films, and yet every time Hollywood tries to copy them they are rarely able to capture the true essence of what made the original great. The Man With One Red Shoe, and Cousins are two such hopeless disasters that come to mind.
Intl4N
I saw this movie in a Russian cinema class, and I knew I would like it as soon as the kids started dancing. The whole thing is very funny - although it has a quirky sense of humor different from what most of us are used to - and if you're willing to take the premise with a grain of salt, you are in for a treat. Another thing - if you were turned off by the trailer or the premise, don't give up on it. I wouldn't have watched the movie except that it was for class. I'm very glad I did, and I recommend it to anyone who is interested in Russia, foreign films, something completely different, or simply a good story. And if you like "Window to Paris," I also highly recommend "Black Cat, White Cat," (Kusturica) another excellent quirky Eastern European (Serbia) comedy.
Caledonia Twin #1
Warning: perhaps a spoiler here.I have to agree that Okno v Parizh is an unexpectedly delightful comedy, though the premise of the film might at first glance seem a bit ridiculous... a magic window that takes a group of Russians directly to Paris? Yes, exactly, that sounds a bit ridiculous, but it's a load of fun, too. And this group of inter-window travellers soon embarks on an adventure where they must (for a moment) brave (or happily succumb to) the delicious terrors of the temptations of capitalism... Okno v Parizh is hysterical but also makes some serious points if you look below the surface. In fact, it is amazing how well the film manages to keep a light-hearted tone throughout, despite the obvious dangers the film portrays within St. Petersburg, where the group of Russians must return and where an unsuspecting French woman is transported through the magic window... Overall, I give this funny film high marks: 8/10.
SFMovieFan
What a marvelous and multi-faceted film! Accurately but humorously portrays Communist Russia's class struggle and communal life. Juxtaposes an educated musician against blue-collar "bloodsucking" neighbors, as well as bleak Leningrad against the colorful splendors of Paris. A wonderful metaphor for the utopia many dream of finding: our chances of reaching it are limited, and when the opportunity presents itself, some throw themselves fearlessly into it, others hesitate until it is too late, while still others fail to recognize that they're already there. One of the few films that can be viewed hundreds of times and never grow old.