The Man Who Surprised Everyone

Russian indie film _The Man Who Surprised Everyone_ surprised me, so at least it lived up to its title. This slow burn drama features some twists that will sink its tender hooks into you, despite the cold distance from a lead character who spends the entire film pushing you away. The central character, Yegor, is played well by actor Yevgeny Tsyganov, but then it's easy to play Yegor because it's easy to play someone who's as disconnected as an unplugged pinball machine. The true bright spot in this film was the marvelous Natalya Kudryashova in the female lead, and I'm not the only one who thought so, as her portrayal garnered her several best actress awards, including the prestigious Venice Film Festival. She was brilliant in this film, shining in a performance that ranged from neon to candlelight. As for the film itself, it was unique in that it was a fascinating subject but as interesting as a doctor's office magazine. Still, 'unique' is never a bad thing, so I give this film a recommendation.