Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		5.0
Audio		5.0
Extras		3.0
Overall		4.0

Moscow on the Hudson Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Dr. Svet Atanasov June 2, 2020

Paul Mazursky's "Moscow on the Hudson" (1984) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Indicator/Powerhouse Films. The supplemental features on the disc include audio commentary by Paul Mazursky; audio interview with Paul Mazursky and Robin Williams; and promotional materials. The release also arrives with an exclusive booklet featuring featuring new writing on the film and archival materials. In English, with optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature. Region-B "locked".

Socialist paradise -- toilet paper for a week

If you drop the funny and overly melodramatic material that makes Moscow on the Hudson a charming film what you are left with is a pretty accurate comparison piece, which isn’t as dated as it should be. In fact, its relevance is growing by the hour.

The ‘80s, frozen Moscow. Vladimir Ivanoff (Robin Williams) barely makes ends meet as a saxophone player in a circus troupe that is getting ready to visit America. The upcoming trip is a huge deal because Vladimir and his colleagues will get an unfiltered taste of life in America, which is why they are already being properly conditioned by KGB agents and warned not to succumb to capitalistic temptations. However, this won’t be easy because the troupe is scheduled to land and perform in New York City, the mecca of capitalism.

The troupe’s program instantly becomes a huge hit with New Yorkers and later on during a big reception organized by Soviet and American government officials select members of the local media and academia engage the visitors to learn as much as they can about life on the other side of the Iron Curtain. The love fest is closely monitored by KGB agents that have traveled with the troupe so that all potential ‘errors’ are avoided. But on the day when the troupe is scheduled to fly back to Moscow, during a quick stop at a large Bloomingdale's store in the heart of the city an ‘error’ does occur -- Vladimir hides in a dressing room and then announces to the store’s security guards that he wishes to defect. The event embarrasses the KGB agents and immediately becomes top news on all big channels around the country. Shortly after immigration authorities arrive at the store the troupe leaves without Vladimir.

While waiting for his immigration status to be adjusted, Vladimir befriends Lucia (Maria Conchita Alonso), an employee of the store where he defected and also an immigrant, and the two begin spending time together. Then they fall in love, but Lucia quickly warns Vladimir that she isn’t seeking marriage because she has other plans for the future that do not include another immigrant and they part ways. Alone with his thoughts and occasionally in the company of his saxophone, Vladimir refocuses on learning how to be a free man, but the more time passes by, the more he begins to realize that he misses Lucia as much as he does his family back in Moscow.

The only way this film could have worked is exactly as it was shot by Paul Mazursky, which is by contrasting the realities of two different countries, and by default socio-political systems, while finding humor in their imperfections. This instantly makes the political baggage of its story relatable on a very personal level, so instead of functioning like a statement the film actually becomes a charming eye-opener that is dramatically more effective. (This happens to be the exact reason why the Soviet authorities banned it).

But it is hard to imagine that without Williams the film could have been as charming as it is. Simply put, he is its heart and soul, which is why all of the great moments that emerge on both sides of the Iron Curtain are a byproduct of his ability to reveal the feelings and emotions of his character in the best possible way. Yes, it is true that some of these moments are buried in melodrama, but Williams’ sense of humor is so authentic that it becomes impossible to see it as a burden.

The film also oozes a refreshingly genuine love for America and the ways in which Americans choose to live their lives. There are a lot of other films from the ‘80s that have it as well, but here it just feels a little extra special. It is attached to a simple message that freedom is precious and gives people the opportunity to do anything with their lives and pursue happiness as they wish.

Moscow on the Hudson Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Presented in an aspect ratio of 1.85:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, Moscow on the Hudson arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Indicator/Powerhouse Films.

The release is apparently sourced from a 4K remaster that was supplied by Sony Pictures. On my system the film definitely has that kind of solid and consistent organic appearance, plus it looks appropriately healthy. Depth, clarity, density, and fluidity are excellent. The color grading is very convincing as well, though there are a few areas where I felt that some of the blacks become a tad too prominent and produce light crush. The overall balance and temperature of the color scheme, however, is terrific. There are no image stability issues. All in all, this is a very solid technical presentation of the film that should make its fans quite happy. (Note: This is a Region-B "locked" Blu-ray release. Therefore, you must have a native Region-B or Region-Free player in order to access its content).

Moscow on the Hudson Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

There is only one standard audio track on this Blu-ray release: English LPCM 2.0 (with portions of Russian). Optional English SDH and English subtitles are provided for the main feature.

The lossless track is quite impressive. Music has a very important role throughout the film and the wide range of dynamic nuances that emerge actually surprised me quite a bit. The dialog is always clear, stable, and very easy to follow. There are no encoding anomalies to report in our review.

Moscow on the Hudson Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Trailers - two vintage trailers for Moscow on the Hudson. In English, not subtitled.
  
  1. Trailer One. (3 min).
  2. Trailer Two. (3 min).

• The Guardian Interview - an archival interview with Paul Mazursky and Robin Williams. The bulks of the information addresses the film's great reception, the socio-politcal environment in which it emerged, the key contrasts that are depicted in it, the production process, etc. The interview was conducted by critic Derek Malcolm at the National Film Theatre in London on September 10, 1984.

• Audio Commentary - in this archival commentary, director Paul Mazursky explains in great detail how Moscow on the Hudson was conceived, and discusses the production process (including his trip to Moscow), the tensions of the era in which the film was made, the immigrant experience, Robin Williams' performance, etc. A very, very good commentary that is worth listening to in its entirety.

• Image Gallery - a large collection of production and promotional materials for Moscow on the Hudson.

• Booklet - exclusive booklet with a new essay by Monica Castillo, a contemporary account of the making of the film, Paul Mazursky's research visit to Moscow, an overview of contemporary critical responses, and film credits.

Moscow on the Hudson Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Paul Mazursky's Moscow on the Hudson is a charming, often quite hilarious film about a man that discovers freedom and then tries to do the best he can with it to have a happy life. I think that once again it is a very relevant film, which of course is incredibly sad. Indicator/Powerhouse Films' release is sourced from a wonderful 4K remaster that was supplied by Sony Pictures and features an outstanding archival audio commentary by director Mazursky. If you decide to pick it up, please keep in mind that it is Region-B "locked". HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.