Watch Perestroika

Perestroika is a drama film released in 2009, directed by Slava Tsukerman and starring Sam Robards, Ally Sheedy, and F. Murray Abraham. Set in New York City, the film follows the story of a Russian immigrant named Sasha Petrov (Sam Robards) who is struggling to adjust to life in America. The film explores themes of identity, culture clash, family dynamics, and the search for meaning and belonging.

The film opens with Sasha, a successful architect, receiving news that his father has died in Russia. This leads him to reflect on his past and his identity as a Russian immigrant in America. We see flashbacks to his childhood in Russia and his experiences in America, where he meets his wife and raises his daughter. Throughout the film, Sasha tries to reconnect with his daughter, who is now a successful lawyer in New York, but their relationship is strained due to their cultural differences.

As Sasha struggles to come to terms with his father's death, he becomes involved in a love affair with his neighbor, a divorced artist named Lyuba (Ally Sheedy). Lyuba is also a Russian immigrant, but she has fully embraced American culture and has a more liberal and open-minded attitude towards life. The two form a relationship that helps Sasha rediscover himself and his place in the world.

Meanwhile, Sasha's daughter, Daria (played by Emma Pelegreen), is facing her own struggles as a successful lawyer in a demanding job. She has a strained relationship with her mother, who is still bitter about her divorce from Sasha. This leads to tension between Daria and her father as she feels he abandoned their family. However, as the film progresses, Daria begins to understand her father's perspective and the sacrifices he made for their family.

The film also explores the tensions between the Russian immigrant community and the broader American culture, highlighting the clash between traditional values and modern attitudes. The character of F. Murray Abraham, a Russian Orthodox priest, embodies this tension as he tries to navigate the changes within his community while holding onto his beliefs.

Overall, Perestroika is a character-driven drama that explores the complexities of identity, culture, and family. The film is beautifully shot and features strong performances from the cast, particularly Sam Robards and Ally Sheedy. The themes addressed in the film are universal, making it a relatable story for anyone who has ever felt like they don't quite belong. The film encourages viewers to embrace their roots while also embracing new experiences and perspectives. So, it is a good watch for those who are interested in character-driven storylines that explore cultural clash and family dynamics.

Perestroika is a 2009 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 37 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 4.4.