A Cruel Romance (Жестокий романс)

Sixth Artists' Association

A CRUEL ROMANCE

Based on A.N. Ostrovsky's play The Dowerless Girl

Written and directed by Eldar RYAZANOV

Director of Photography Vadim ALISSOV

Production Designer Alexander BORISOV

Music by Andrei PETROV

Sound by S. LITVINOV, V. VINOGRADOV

Romance lyrics by Bella Akhmadulina,

Marina Tsvetayeva, Rudyard Kipling, Eldar Ryazanov

Starring

Alissa FREINDLIKH as Ogoudalova

Larissa GUZEYEVA as Larissa

Nikita MIKHALKOV as Paratov

Andrei MYAGKOV as Karandyshev

Alexei PETRENKO as Knurov

Victor PROSKURIN as Vozhevatov

Also starring

Georgy BURKOV as Robinson Borislav BRONDUKOV as Ivan

Tatiana PANKOVA as Efrosinia Potapovna

Alexander PYATKOV as Gavrilo

Yuri SARANTSEV as Captain Olga VOLKOVA as Modiste

Dmitri BUZYLEV as Ilya Sergey ARTSYBASHEV as Gulyaev

Alexander PANKRATOV-CHORNY as Officer

I was just admiring the Volga. I never get tired of looking at it.

I would be honored if you could go to the theatre with me tomorrow.

They're playing ''Camille'' with Madame Smelskaya in the lead.

Thank you, but my mother and I have already been invited.

May I ask who invited you?

Mister Paratov.

And you're going?

Of course, we are.

My second daughter's going away. Be sure you look after her, Prince.

There's no need for you to worry.

I'll lay the whole of Tiflis at your daughter's feet.

And where does he come from, this Caucasian?

Some officer brought him to the Ogoudalovs.

As soon as the little prince saw Olga he got weak in the knees.

For two weeks he kept his hand on his dagger so no one'd come near her.

Mama dear, where are you sending me to?

Everything will be all right.

He's a nobleman and he's in love with you.

He's a stranger, I know, we can't help it, darling.

There's no one among our own who would take you without money.

- Oh, mama... - It will be all right.

- Where are you going, Excellency? - I'm in a hurry, dear.

But you can't! Stop! It's forbidden!

Where are you going, your Excellency?

Whoa!

You're not allowed to ride horses on the wharf!

You'll have to excuse me, I'm late. Take my horse.

I'm sorry. Sorry...

Good morning, ladies and gentlemen!

I'm sorry I'm late, auntie. Congratulations.

- I wish you happiness. - Thank you, Sergey Sergeyevich.

Why be jealous?

A great horseman like you is taking such a lovely girl from us.

Those drunken idiots of mine let the ''Tsarevich'' run aground.

It took three tugs to pull her out. But we did it.

I always feel sad on a pier. Other people go places and I stay behind.

Shall I take you somewhere?

This very instant! Just say a word...

You're absolutely crazy!

Come on, make up your mind. Don't you have the courage?

All ashore!

Why are you crying, mother?

Come visit us in Tiflis.

Don't forget me!

Be sure to write, Olga!

Write to me, Larissa!

There will always be room in our house for all of you!

Sergey Sergeyevich, your ''Swallow'' is coming alongside.

She's a beauty! Would you be interested in selling her?

Never! My ''Swallow'' is the fastest on the Volga.

What do you need the speed for? You carry only cargo.

I plan to add a passenger service to the cargo one.

Yes, with money you can do good business. Happy is the man

who has a lot of money.

I recently read ''The New Plutarch, or the Lives of Great Women''.

Larissa Dmitrievna, can you explain to me

why women usually prefer evil men

instead of those who are decent?

Do you mean anyone in particular?

No. I was just curious.

Please, Larissa Dmitrievna.

Back up. Come closer.

- Come closer. - Go forward, I said.

There's only one way to do it.

It's done.

Allow me, Larissa Dmitrievna.

Thank you, Sergey Sergeyevich.

Watch out, you may break your neck staring.

He's no man for you. However he may please you.

It won't do you any good to stare, Yuli Kapitonovich. She's not for you.

- Well, farewell, gentlemen. - Good luck to you!

Paratov likes to live in style.

I'm not sure about other things but style he's got.

You shortchanged me again.

I save your every kopeck, ma'am.

You're ten kopecks short.

Oh mother, don't let those trifles upset you.

Prices have gone wild in the market.

Don't you teach me about the market.

I'll open up myself.

Why didn't you try to bargain? Are you too proud for that?

Coming! Everyone's so impatient.

Kharita lgnatievna, how are you?

Congratulations on your daughter's birthday.

I was present when they sorted the telegrams. Here they are...

It's from Anna in Monte Carlo

and Olga in Tiflis. Surely for Larissa's birthday.

I brought them personally to make sure they won't be late.

And where's Larissa Dmitrievna?

She's very busy. We expect you for dinner.

I'll be here. Well, goodbye.

- From Olga for your birthday. - Ah, let me see.

They all got home alright. And this is from Anna.

From Monte Carlo. We haven't heard from her for a year.

''Mama, I'm having difficulties...

My husband has been accused of cheating in gambling.

We've got no money to pay for the hotel, nor for returning home.

Can you send us 700 rubles? Help us, I beg you. Anna.''

I can't believe it!

And I was sure that with a foreigner she'd have good luck.

He's just a con man.

Why don't we get a mortgage on the house?

Smart girl. I did that ages ago.

That's where our money comes from. Seven hundred rubles...

- Here. - Thank you, Mister Vozhevatov.

Vassily Danilovich!

Moky Parmyonovich, good morning, sir!

You're buying that barge at a good price.

Yes, it's a good price.

Well, there's no use buying unless you can buy it at a good price.

Will we see each other tonight at the Ogoudalovs'?

Yes, Kharita Ignatievna did invite me...

Let's go then, Moky Parmyonovich.

The girl is attractive. She can sing and play instruments.

They make you feel free there.

All sort of people come to them.

Then when they meet you, they try to engage you in conversation.

I bought a gift for Larissa.

- Was it expensive? - Five hundred.

Well, you bought the barge cheap, you can afford an expensive gift.

- Am I late? - Yes, you're late.

Happy birthday, Larissa Dmitrievna.

Forgive me for being late. My director delayed me.

- Welcome. Take your coat off. - Thank you very much.

Kharita Ignatievna, congratulations!

My director...

A toast to the health of the jewel of our city, Larissa Dmitrievna!

To your health!

I've heard Larissa Dmitrievna has a beautiful voice. Please sing for us.

With pleasure, gentlemen, but not now, a bit later.

All right, we'll wait, but we won't leave without a song.

Enjoy yourself, please, ladies and gentlemen.

I was telling him...

Did you thank Vassya for the present?

- Thank you. It's very nice. - It's nothing, really.

Nothing? Do you know what it cost, a gift like that?

I'd like to propose a toast in your honor...

Mister Karandyshev, it's not polite. Larissa Dmitrievna's busy.

And then she opened her bookto the Hussar!

After that, it's very funny. I'll tell you later.

Take care of our guests.

More champagne!

Dear guests, please have some fruit.

Moky Parmyonovich...

I want to give my daughter a very nice present.

But it costs a lot. Too much for me.

What is it?

It's worth five hundred rubles.

I wish it was. Worth seven hundred.

And what do you think of your daughter? What kind of girl is she?

I'm not quite sure about that. It's better that you judge.

Larissa's not what you'd call a practical, down-to-earth girl.

No.

- She's ethereal! - I guess you're right.

- She was born to shine. - Yes, to shine.

I'll never find the words to thank you enough.

Don't mention it.

O Lord, forgive me, I'm not doing it for myself.

I heard a funny couplet today in court.

A court servant told it.

Grab whatever you can grab. There's no sin in grabbing.

Only if you do get caught, Then you'll be accused of sinning.

Yes, if you go to court dressed, you come out naked.

And without shoes!

I never accept any bribes.

So you live on your wages only?

No one ever offered you any bribe. Yourjob is not all that lucrative.

If you had been offered and you didn't accept it, then...

Where are you going? You behave now.

Sergey Sergeyevich, at last, my dear!

Ladies and gentlemen, good afternoon.

- Greetings to you. - Hello.

Please, come in.

Ladies and gentlemen, I would like to propose a toast...

Wait!

Congratulations!