Watch Dovlatov

Dovlatov is a biographical film directed by Alexei German Jr. and released in 2018. The movie is set in Leningrad (now known as Saint Petersburg) during the early 1970s and follows several days in the life of the famous Russian author Sergei Dovlatov. The film opens with a brief introduction of the city, showing the streets and buildings that Dovlatov walked past in his daily life, and then quickly jumps to the day when Leningrad's most famous writers gather at the home of a fellow writer to drink and converse. Among the group are celebrated authors such as Joseph Brodsky, Yevgeny Rein, and Eduard Limonov.

Sergei Dovlatov, played by Milan Maric, is the central character, and we witness his struggles with censorship, lack of recognition, and romantic troubles. He is a talented writer, but his work is repeatedly censored, and his ability to publish books is limited. Throughout the movie, we see how he manages to express his creativity despite the constraints imposed by the Soviet Union regime.

The plot moves through Dovlatov's world at a relatively sedate pace, allowing viewers to immerse themselves in the Communist society of the city. It is a world where writing is regarded with suspicion and where anyone who dares to express an opinion that runs contrary to the government's is considered a traitor. Dovlatov's attempts to hold true to his artistic creativity while still playing the game enough to keep publishing are a key aspect of the film's exploration of identity.

The story of the film is interwoven with flashbacks, where we are allowed to see a significant event in Dovlatov's life. Through these flashbacks, we get to know the author's complicated relationship with his ex-wife, Lena (played by Helena Sujecka), and his struggle to balance writing with fatherhood.

In the film, we are shown how Dovlatov is trying to take care of his daughter, trying to balance his fatherly duties with his writing career, but often struggling to find a middle ground. When his ex-wife leaves Leningrad for the United States, Dovlatov is left with the sole responsibility of raising his daughter, which puts a tremendous amount of pressure on him.

The film's cinematography and visuals are impressive, fully capturing the atmosphere of Leningrad in the 70s, including the city's architecture, clothing, and music. The creative directing and camerawork elevate Dovlatov from a simple biopic to a work of art.

The cast of Dovlatov is also exceptional, with every actor delivering a nuanced and realistic performance. Milan Maric, in particular, is excellent in his portrayal of Dovlatov, bringing both humor and gravitas to the role.

In conclusion, Dovlatov is a poignant and engaging film that captures the life and struggles of one of the most famous Soviet writers. The movie provides viewers with a glimpse into the early 70s Soviet society and does an excellent job of portraying the frustrations of an artist struggling to express himself in a repressive Communist state. With its exceptional visuals, acting, and storytelling, Dovlatov is a must-watch for any fan of biographical dramas.

Dovlatov is a 2018 drama with a runtime of 2 hours and 6 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.4 and a MetaScore of 68.