Actors and stars

Of course, the main television event of December is “Liquidation” on the Rossiya TV channel. It’s impossible to tear yourself away; everything captivates you: the plot, the actors, the cinematography. Filmed stylishly, incredibly sophisticated for a television series. A black and white image with splashes of color, like on old post-war postcards where hats and bouquets were painted. The acting is wonderful. Konstantin Lavronenko, Sergei Makovetsky, Fyodor Dobronravov, Svetlana Kryuchkova - whatever! Director Sergei Ursulyak has assembled a whole constellation. Vladimir Mashkov in the role of David Gotsman is an event not only for television cinema, but also for our cinema as a whole. True, in the finale, where many people died because of Gotsman’s daring and bravado, and at least he didn’t care, the heroic image fades a little, but what’s done is done. Be that as it may, “Liquidation” is a real gift to viewers at the end of the outgoing year.

“Crime and Punishment” on Channel One clearly lost to “Liquidation”. Maybe they'll watch it more closely when it's repeated. The work is good and also stylish and fascinating in its own way. Despite the fact that I just can’t accept this strange, languid Raskolnikov with curls, some underexpressed Svidrigailov and the brutal, naturalistic scene of the murder of the old pawnbroker. In the old film by Lev Kulidzhanov, where the will of Soviet censors erased all of Dostoevsky’s religious quests, the acting was better. Georgy Taratorkin and Efim Kopelyan reached extraordinary heights. Nothing like that happened here.

Another audience favorite in December seemed to be the series “Atlantis”. Made skillfully, but with the total use of proven templates. The heroine is tested for strength by betrayal, violence, and prison. All this has happened more than once, let’s remember the TV series “The Cage” and “Always Say Always.” And yet, “Atlantis” was definitely a success for Nelly Uvarova. She managed to become a completely new heroine and not continue to replicate her ugly character from the imperishable saga “Don’t Be Born Beautiful.”

I remember the meeting with Tatyana Drubich in “Details” with Renata Litvinova. The naturalness, beauty, intelligence, and intelligence of the guest made me watch the midnight program until the very end. Vadim Vernik’s program “Who’s There?” is always a pleasure. He discovers new names, knows how to reveal seemingly well-known actors and directors in a new way. No one speaks empty words; everyone turns out to be surprisingly deep and talented people. And the presenter himself evokes great sympathy. Benevolence, education and good upbringing are his calling card.

But such qualities are not suitable for everyone. Thus, the “School of Scandal” becomes more and more lean and boring. For some reason, the presenters violated the format invented by Yuri Bogomolov. They became overly courteous and accommodating, and their famous “slander,” their ability to find caustic, caustic and precise words, almost completely evaporated. In this “diet” form, I want to watch “School for Scandal” less and less.

Probably everyone should maintain their own face and manner. Here is Tina Kandelaki, of whom there is so much on the STS channel, a glamorous diva, confident in her irresistibility and necessity for everyone. With her characteristic self-confidence, tactlessness and pressure, she is now lighting up new stars - which means someone needs it.

Olga GALITSKAYA