Expensive Pleasure 1988
In the drab backdrop of late Soviet-era Moscow, *Expensive Pleasure (1988)* follows the misadventures of an ingenious aeronautical engineer whose brilliance goes unappreciated in a rigid state-run design bureau.
Director: Leonid Maryagin
Cast
Frequently Asked Questions
What is *Expensive Pleasure* (1988) about?
*Expensive Pleasure* is a Soviet comedy that centers on an aeronautical engineer who abandons his unfulfilling job in a state-run bureau to work in a private workshop, where he repairs mysteriously diverted machinery. The film blends workplace frustration with the anarchic humor of finding purpose in unexpected places.
Who directed *Expensive Pleasure*?
Leonid Maryagin directed *Expensive Pleasure*, crafting a satire that captures the absurdities of Soviet-era bureaucracy and private enterprise.
Who stars in *Expensive Pleasure*?
The film features Sergey Migitsko, Larisa Kuznetsova, Valentin Gaft, Oleg Tabakov, and Georgi Burkov in key roles.
Is *Expensive Pleasure* (1988) worth watching?
*Expensive Pleasure* is a charming, if niche, Soviet comedy that rewards fans of dry humor and historical satire. While not blockbuster material, its clever premise and strong performances make it a worthwhile watch for those interested in 1980s Eastern European cinema.
How long is *Expensive Pleasure*?
Runtime details for *Expensive Pleasure* are not listed.
About Expensive Pleasure (1988) — Soviet-Era Comedy of Ingenuity and Absurdity
In the drab backdrop of late Soviet-era Moscow, *Expensive Pleasure (1988)* follows the misadventures of an ingenious aeronautical engineer whose brilliance goes unappreciated in a rigid state-run design bureau. Frustrated by bureaucratic stagnation, he pivots to a private workshop where he tinkers with "left" machines—those mysteriously diverted from official projects—sparking a series of chaotic yet oddly satisfying repairs. Leonid Maryagin's sharp-eyed direction blends biting social satire with the chaotic charm of 1980s Soviet life, where ingenuity often thrives in the shadows of an unyielding system.
The film's humor unfolds against a backdrop of muted greys and the occasional flash of absurdity, as the engineer's talents find unexpected purpose amid the absurdities of private enterprise in a state-controlled economy. With a cast led by Sergey Migitsko's everyman charm and Larisa Kuznetsova's sharp wit, *Expensive Pleasure* isn't just a comedy—it's a wry commentary on the value of skill in a world that struggles to recognize it.