Great Charm in: 'Three Plus Two'


Day 12: Film with Great Charm



My choice for this one is “Three Plus Two” or три плюс два (1962)! Based on a play by Sergei Mikhalkov (author of like, several Russian anthems and father to Nikita Mikhalkov!), this is one of the most leisurely Thaw films there is (one of the most leisurely films ever, maybe!), a light rambling comedy with three young men and two young women on ‘unorganised’ vacation near the Black Sea, competing to take over a secluded camping site. All of the actors are endearingly natural in this, earnestly in character but genuinely enjoying their time together that it’s so clearly felt, you feel like you’re in on a great Black Sea holiday with them. The editing and directing also adds to the spontaneity of the film, with scenes that almost feel improvised (in fact, there is what I think is an assembly cut or alternate version that is just as fresh and sparkling). I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen this (especially when a holiday seems far away), but the playful romance, the innocent humour, and the jazzy lyrical music really make this a little gem in every way Xo

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