Ninochka - film

Tina’s presentation has rekindled my memory. Her film “ Moscow on the Hudson” has reminded my to the movie “Ninotchka” which was frequently shown on the Austrian TV decades age.
Ninotchka is an American film produced in the year 1939. The main parts were played by Greta Garbo and Melvin Douglas. It received four Academy Awards nominations, for Best Picture, Best Actress in a Leading Role, Best Original Story, and Best Screenplay.


Plot
Three Russians, Iranoff , Buljanoff and Kopalski, are sent to Paris in order to sell jewelry confiscated from the Czar’s family during the Russian Revolution of 1917. Shortly after they begin to enjoy the capitalist lifestyle, the Soviet Union sends Nina Yakushova (Greta Garbo), a special agent who is supposed to conclude the jewelry deal with Count Leon as soon as possible and to bring back the three men.

Rigid and stern at first, she slowly becomes attacted by the West and the Count, who falls in love with her.
The previous owner, the Grand Duke Swana, who has been attracted by Count Leon too, threatens to impede the transaction of jewelery unless Ninotchka promises to return to Russia at once and to meet Leon never ever again.

Due to her loyalty to Russia Ninotchka agrees and returns with her comrades to Russia. Leon tries to visit her but he doesn’t succeed. In Moscow Ninotschka and her comrads are mourning after their time in Paris. Shortly after their meeting, Iranoff , Buljanoff and Kopalski, are sent to Konstantinopel to sell Russian furs.

An anonymous report about their inability and decadence arrives in Moscow and Ninotschka is sent after them to observe them again. Upon her arrival she realizes that the account has been a trick by Leon. He confesses her his love and persuades her to remain in the West.

My opinion

"Ninotchka" is a romantic comedy and funny satire to the fight of classes, The confrontation between the capitalism and socialism systems is overdone, but presented so excellently that you cannot help but laughing. It is a pity that the movie isn’t shown on TV any more.