Moscow on the Hudson

During one of the many, comic vignettes in Paul Mazursky's "Moscow on the Hudson," Robin Williams, as a poor muscovite musician, and his girlfriend bargain for some alone time, a precious commodity when a large Russian family is packed into a small apartment.

William's character, Vladimir Ivanoff, a member of the Russian Circus, is traveling to the United States for a special diplomatic performance, and he has the secret knowledge that another member of the troupe, a clown, may attempt to defect.

"I wish I could see America," says Ivanoff's lover. "I would like to see it with my own eyes. The decadence." She removes her bra. "The crime, the poverty..." She pulls off her panties.

He tears off his underwear and, just before they fall into bed, adds, "The inflation."

This movie champions a simple but fervent message: In spite of consumerism's grotesqueries, the United States is a melting pot, thriving with hope and freedom. All types of people from different origins, and of different races and sexual identities, come together here as one. And nowhere is this reality better embodied than in pre-Giuliani New York City.

When Ivanoff gets a small taste of this land of opportunity, he realizes that his clown friend has been right all along. He lets go of his loyalties to the USSR and strives to become a citizen of the USA. This isn't as difficult as it may seem (being a stranger in a strange land) because this country is full of generous people who will open their door to him.

After just meeting Ivanoff, Lionel Witherspoon (Cleavant Derricks) opens his home to the hopeful immigrant. Actually, it's his parent's home and it's a tiny apartment filled with a large African American family, but Ivanoff is used to close quarters. He also meets a charming woman, Lucia Lombardo (Mar�a Conchita Alonso), and a sympathetic immigration attorney, Orlando Ramirez (Alejandro Rey), who originally came to the country illegally.

Robin Williams gives us a close look at the human capacity for optimistic persistence in one of his subtler roles. And Mazursky proves that even critics of this country can be fiercely patriotic toward it.

A variety of audio alternatives accompany this beautifully digitized Twilight Time limited release disc, including an isolated score track, an audio commentary with film historians Julie Kirgo and Nick Redman and an audio commentary with the director himself.

"Moscow on the Hudson"
Blu-ray
$29.95
www.twilighttimemovies.com