The Garage (1979)

Very well executed

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 is one of the best movies I’ve seen in a very long time. You have to go and see this on the big screen.

By the time the dramatic fireworks start popping off, each one feels earned.

And it is actually better in my view. The plot is simple, a group of people working together try to decide which 4 people of the group will not be allocated a parking spot. The situation is quite real and everyone can relate. The depiction is more truthful and convincing than 12 Angry Man. Acting is so excellent that it is very easy to forget this is a movie. Dynamics, which is not as dramatic as 12 Angry Men, is more complicated and deeper. While people can probably guess the direction of ending from the beginning, the plot is intriguing and several times it feels there is a dead end and then there is a solution. somewhat like Prison Break season 1, which is a completely different story but the essence of script writing is comparable. Certainly a classic!

There's a great moment in The Garage where one of the characters says that she studied contemporary Russian satire, and another congratulates her on being able to study something that doesn't exist yet. To put that in the middle of such a biting satire as this, the filmmakers must have known exactly how daring they were being. The Garage is daring not just in its content -- which on a basic level shows the Soviet system of local collectives to be corrupt and dysfunctional -- but in its form. It's a full length film that operates by locking all its characters in one room and letting them argue with each other for its entire length. It's a kind of conceptual minimalism that's a huge risk, but it does pay off. The characters are largely likable eccentrics as individuals, but as a group they come to embody a black-as-pitch view of humanity as a whole -- and that's where the film transcends being an indictment of the fine points of Soviet local government in the late seventies, and becomes a piece of art with something to say about humanity itself. In short, people are shown to be completely beastly to each other over such trivia as a parking space -- not just self-interested but often disloyal and heartless. In the end, they come up with a "fair" solution of drawing lots only after torturing each other all night. And when the unlucky lot is the only one left and the selection is therefore no longer random, everyone gangs up on the one snoozing man who has not chosen to make him a victim. The sweetness of some of the touches to the stories of the characters that are assembled here can be tasted just enough to make the bitterness of the satire still palatable. Even still, the film is not exactly always easy to watch, even though it's often very funny. There's also a stellar cast assembled, which is essential for such a contained, character-driven piece. I've seen a few of Ryanzanov's films now, and I think he assembled a collection of favorites whom he knew to be reliable here. The premise may border on the absurd, but it's done with such conviction that I think everyone must feel they've been in an association that might behave in exactly the same shameful way. And that makes it horrifyingly apt satire.

The Garage is an enthralling and pleasant film about collective bargaining. This is so, because the story is serious but with a light undertone. And also, because in the end the underdogs win, and even the former hawks in the group seem to find the final result reasonable. The stage is set in a Russian institute of natural sciences. The personnel club has organized the collective building of a parcel of garages, and employees could participate in the project by subscription on a list. Unfortunately the number of built garages must be decreased, and the collective meets in order to decide who will have to give up their claim. The executive has already written a proposal, which conveniently plans the exclusion of the outsiders and mavericks. The decision is made by a democratic vote, and of course the executive gets his will. But then, unexpectedly, the outsiders protest and revolt. They point out, that family members were added to the list, and also a rich entrepreneur (although the film stems from Soviet times). And that the executive has favored itself. A new voting round is demanded and executed, with this time a different result. Now the newly injured persons protest, and a state of anarchy unfolds. There is whining and shouting, and proposals of adjournment (the executive senses a forthcoming defeat). Somebody locks the door, and demands that the meeting will continue until a decisive vote is made. A comic note is the presence of stuffed animals in the room, which seem to mimic the combatants. Relations are broken and forged. One of the injured outsiders appears to have an up to now unknown past as a war hero against the fascists. Old Soviet habits revive, the defeat of the fascists is paramount for the national self-esteem, and all present agree that the claim of this man must definitely be honored. Other revelations follow. A mute person suddenly regains his speech. And indeed, in the end an unanimous decision is made, that everybody can accept (except for the entrepreneur). I like the film, also because it illustrates how demand can be met without resorting to selection by means of pricing - which is in fact quite unfair.

This movie is one of the best by Riazanov. It's not appreciated as much as "Ironia Sudby", because of its strong satire, I believe many people from former Soviet Union can easily recognize themselves on either side of that usual conflict of interests. And as usual one side has an ultimate advantage, thus gets furiously attacked by other trying to level the disposition. Once being the theater show, the movie preserves the theatrical spirit, the scenes are long and the pace is moderate. Starring actors are usual for Riazanov's cast, all his favorites in: Oleg Miagkov, Lia Ahedzhakova, Gerogy Burkov are performing exceptionally well. As mentioned by previous reviewer, the subject is acceptable for any person familiar with corporate culture and the script is full of hilarious lines, soviet jokes of 70's, and even romance. Highly Recommended!