Watch Watch Out for the Automobile

Watch Out for the Automobile is a 1966 Soviet comedy film directed by Eldar Ryazanov. The movie follows the story of a car thief named Semyon Semyonovich Gorbunkov (played by Innokentiy Smoktunovskiy) who is caught and sentenced to prison. While in jail, he comes up with a plan to earn his freedom by creating an automobile safety device.

With the help of his friend, an engineer named Andrey Pavlovich Krylov (played by Oleg Efremov), Gorbunkov designs a device that can automatically stop a car in case of an emergency. The two negotiate a deal with a car manufacturer, and their invention quickly becomes a sensation. The catch, however, was that in order to earn his freedom Gorbunkov had to produce a working prototype. But he's never driven a car before, that too, produced by him.

As Gorbunkov becomes more famous, he is targeted by criminals who want to steal his invention. At the same time, he catches the eye of a beautiful journalist named Alla (played by Lyubov Dobrzhanskaya), who is assigned to write a piece on him. In the midst of all this, Gorbunkov tries to prove his innocence and restore his name.

The movie is a classic example of Soviet-era slapstick humor combined with elements of romance, suspense, and adventure. It showcases the ingeniousness of its lead characters through their invention as well as Gorbunkov's capability to go beyond his skills, which comes in handy during a car ride. The plot is quite engaging and the dialogue is fast-paced, making it an entertaining watch.

Innokentiy Smoktunovskiy, a famous Soviet actor, played the role of Gorbunkov with great aplomb. He brought a sense of humor and charm to the character, which is crucial for a movie like this. Oleg Efremov, on the other hand, played the role of Krylov with great earnestness. Both actors shared great chemistry on screen, which is visible in all their scenes together.

The film's cinematography is another standout factor. The chase scenes are expertly shot, and the use of the camera angles during these scenes gives a sense of urgency to the viewer. The car chase sequences are quite iconic, with Gorbunkov driving a car he has never driven before, with his invention installed in it.

Watch Out for the Automobile was a huge success when it came out, remaining popular over the years. It has a cult following, and its popularity speaks volumes about its significance in the Soviet film industry. Critics and audiences lauded the film for its humor and creativity, making it a classic in the genre of comedy and slapstick.

In conclusion, Watch Out for the Automobile is a must-watch movie for anyone who enjoys comedy and slapstick humor. It combines laughter with suspense, making it a complete entertainer. Both the lead actors, Innokentiy Smoktunovskiy and Oleg Efremov, deliver remarkable performances. The movie is a testament to the incredible imagination of its director and writer, who have managed to create a timeless comedy classic.

Watch Out for the Automobile is a 1966 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 30 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 8.0.