For what the film “Cruel romance” defeated critics, but loved the audience

The film “Cruel Romance”, which made Larisa Guzeeva famous, is today considered a cult. However, many fans of Soviet cinema do not remember how the film was defeated by critics immediately after its release. And even that, where "Cruel Romance" was filmedToday, they remember a few.

We're in the newsroom. "Site" We offer to learn more about this significant work of the great director Eldar Ryazanov. Behind the scenes there was so much that there is something to tell both fans of the picture and those film lovers, which this film bypassed. They might want to see it.



Where "Cruel Romance" was filmed First of all, it is worth noting that Eldar Ryazanov at first did not really want to engage in the adaptation of the play by Alexander Ostrovsky. But when, at the insistent request of his wife, the director re-read “Bespridannitsa”, he realized that he would shoot.

And Ryazanov for the role of hereditary nobleman Paratov immediately chose Nikita Mikhalkov. But the soft-bodied and arrogant Karandyshev was to be played by Andrei Myagkov. Only after the consent of these two Ryazanov was ready to start shooting.



But the invitation of aspiring actress Larisa Guzeeva, who was then little known to the general public, was unexpected. Many believed that the 23-year-old student was lucky, because the main role in the film of such a famous director is a real springboard for her career path.

“Luck is if I worked as a waitress in a restaurant.” And there suddenly would have come Ryazanov, would have fought my beauty and called for the main role. In fact, I, along with a huge number of other young actresses, underwent complex screen tests, looked with all potential partners.



However, Larisa Andreevna agrees that she was lucky when Ryazanov chose her. Although the first appearance of the young actress on the set shocked the director. The fact is that the girl at that time adored the culture of hippies: she drove in torn jeans, smoked “Belomor”, profanity – the complete opposite of her heroine.

However, Larisa was combed and changed, she began to quickly get used to the role. And even Ryazanov admitted that at first it was difficult, but by the end of filming it was much easier to work with the girl.



The filming took place in the autumn of 1983 in Kostroma. In the frame you can see several historical buildings of the city. And the railway station, which can be seen in the episode when Paratov came, turns out to be the building of the Kostroma Puppet Theater.

As for the "Swallow" Paratov, on which the final events unfolded, then the old wheeled steamer "Spartak" was in the case. Everything happened during the scheduled flight. For filming, some passengers were taken from the deck.

At the time of the pursuit of Karandyshev for the escaped bride almost happened terrible. The performer of the role Andrei Myagkov rowed the boat with his back forward and did not notice that he was too close to the steamer. From the blow of the blade, the boat turned over, and the actor himself was pulled into a funnel created by the wheels of “Swallows”.



Nobody had time to do anything. Myagkov disappeared in the water. There was no chance of salvation. But after a couple of moments, the actor emerged and, as if nothing had happened, got out of the water.

Later, Andrei Vasilyevich himself admitted that he mentally said goodbye to life and even remembered his wife, who was waiting for him in Moscow. But then, miraculously, it came to the surface. And without a single scratch.

It is curious that in the film adaptation of “Bespridannitsa” in 1936, the main role was played by Nina Alisova. She was the mother of the cameraman Vadim Alisov, who filmed “Cruel romance” in 1983. Eldar Ryazanov even asked the woman for blessings before the upcoming filming.

Vocal parts for Larisa Guzeeva had to perform Valentina Ponomareva. And Ryazanov long persuaded the singer, because she did not want to sing for the film adaptation of this heartbreaking play.



When Ponomareva agreed, she managed to catch a cold on the eve of the first day of recording in the studio. Still, Valentina Dmitrievna did not let the director down. Even feeling unwell, she recorded a few romances. Interestingly, the credits did not mention Ponomareva, which was the reason for her quarrel with Eldar Ryazanov.



Surprisingly, critics simply destroyed this film. Ryazanov was accused of simply “mocking at Russian classics and vulgarizing the play.” And Larisa Guzeeva's game was called inconspicuous.

In response to the particularly evil criticism of Yevgeny Surkov, Ryazanov gracefully repaid. In his next film, the director named him the most negative character.

And although experts from the world of cinema did not appreciate “Cruel romance”, but ordinary viewers liked it. The film won several awards. For example, at the international film festival in Delhi, it was the best. And the romances that sounded in this melodrama immediately gained great popularity.