Something with the Telephone

Synopsis

"Something with the Telephone" (original title: "Что-то с телефоном") is a 1979 Soviet-era comedy directed by Anatoli Grachyov. The film explores the comedic chaos ensuing from a mysterious telephone that dramatically disrupts the everyday lives of a small community. Through lighthearted and absurd situations, the movie weaves a narrative about communication, technology, and human interactions during a transformative period in Soviet society. With its witty dialogue, quirky characters, and situational humor, the film offers a humorous critique of bureaucratic inefficiency and human foibles, encapsulating the unique style of Soviet comedy of the late 1970s.

Cast

• 

  Anatoli Grachyov

  Vadim Nikolayevich

• 

  Iya Arepina

  Mother

• 

  Tamara Loginova

  Nina's neighbor

• 

  Lyudmila Marchenko

  guest

• 

  Tatyana Ronami

  Nina

• Yelena Fetisenko

  guest

Reviews

Critical reception of "Something with the Telephone" reflects its status as a niche Soviet comedy that resonates differently with contemporary viewers and critics familiar with the era. On IMDb, the movie holds a modest rating hovering around 6.5/10, appreciated by audiences who enjoy classic Soviet humor and period-specific storytelling. Reviewers on specialized Soviet cinema forums highlight the film's clever use of situational comedy and the strong performances, particularly noting Anatoli Grachyov's direction which elegantly balances absurdity with social commentary. However, some modern critics find the pacing slow and the humor somewhat dated by today's standards. Rotten Tomatoes and Metacritic do not have ratings available, indicating limited exposure and reviews in Western mainstream media. Overall, "Something with the Telephone" is regarded as a culturally interesting film that will appeal most to enthusiasts of Soviet film history and comedy aficionados seeking a unique cinematic experience from that era.

See also

The Shawshank Redemption

Forrest Gump

Joker

Avengers: Endgame