Growing up in a collapsing USSR, young teenager Vasili’s life is turbulent. He lives with his single mother who works as a prison doctor who calls him 'Potato', and together their future looks bleak in their country. They get continues visits from their grandmother. Potato starts to realize his attraction towards men and both mom and son desire to move west. The mother applies to a mail-order bride service it looks like their dreams of moving to America will actually come true. Circa, ten years later, mom and son are in America, living with al American man John, who is a very strong religious man. John wants them to be a religious Christian family, so Potato's homosexuality is always a concern, When he comes out to him mother, she takes it extremely well and in fact even introduces him to some gay folks from work, which sort of awakens Potato. When John finds the truth, he threatens to send them back to Russia, but n a strange turn of events, it turns out that John is a closet trans who has been hiding because elf all the hatred he got from his mother and ex-wife. Life is finally looking good for Potato, who has finally found his path in this American world and embracing his Russian upbringing but still living his dreams of America.
As I mentioned before, the story is told in two very distinctive styles. The first half, which is supposed to set in Russia, the mother and son speak perfect American English which magical realism. For example, their fascination for American movies and Potato finding Jesus as a friend who could be there for him always. The scenes are real and magical. But also those are the scenes which only some immigrant families will be able to relate to. But thankfully this whole section is not drama or serious, but its filled with humor and positivity. The sticky comic portrayal; of the whole Russian scenario in this time gets a lot of fun to watch, once you get a hang of it. The narrative style comes to traditional style of film making with very heavy Russian accents when the duo moves to America. The focus now is all about Potato's coming out, accepting who he is and what his roots are with support from his mother, leading to a beautiful and meaningful and hopeful finale. Lets talk about actors here. We have some really amazing and confident performances from every single actor in this film. Actor playing the kid Potato and his mother and even the grown versions of both. They all exude confidence and a connection that's expected of seasoned performers. The adult Vasili, has this innocence and charm that you want to hug him and tell him that everything will be alright and there is nothing to worry about.
The language of the film is very artistic, which may take some time to get used to, but in a very odd way it does help to use the medium to show us how very unusual lives of people in post soviet Russia were. Its dark, yet humorous and magical. When you have a string and supporting mother like Vasili had, any young child can get strength to be himself and accept your sexuality with pride and dream of being a film maker. A funny yet very touching real story with some amazing performances. (8/10)
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