Leningrad Cowboys Go America (1989)

100% of critics liked it
(5 reviews)
83% of users liked it
(1,637 ratings)

The odd comedies of Finnish director Aki Kaurismaki may be an acquired taste, but it is one which more and more people are getting. The story concerns the exploits of an extremely inept but dedicated troupe of accordian musicians, "The Leningrad Cowboys," whose sheer awfulness puts SCTV's Schmenge… More The odd comedies of Finnish director Aki Kaurismaki may be an acquired taste, but it is one which more and more people are getting. The story concerns the exploits of an extremely inept but dedicated troupe of accordian musicians, "The Leningrad Cowboys," whose sheer awfulness puts SCTV's Schmenge brothers in the shade. In fact, in order to stop having to listen to them, a local record producer advises them to go to America, and paints a glowing picture of the success they will enjoy there. These eight Finnish lads (seven living, one very frozen corpse) are dressed as they think true hipster musicians should be (ducktails, sunglasses, fur coats, pointy-toed shoes), and they head off for New York. There they encounter yet another wise guy, who sends them off to Mexico by car to play at his cousin's wedding (he apparently hates his cousin). Along the way, they get bookings wherever they can, learn American music styles, and get along fabulously (by their reckoning). ~ Clarke Fountain, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: PG-13, 1 hr. 18 min.
Directed By: Aki Kaurismäki
Written By: Sakke Järvenpää, Aki Kaurismäki
Genres: Drama, Action & Adventure, Musical & Performing Arts, Art House & International, Comedy

In Theaters: Mar 24, 1989 Wide
Studio: Criterion Collection

Critic Reviews

Bill Weber, Slant Magazine
"Minor" Kaurismäki to the same degree that This Is Spinal Tap is major Rob Reiner, this deadpan musical saga is also a novelty headstone for the Soviet epoch.
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice
An immensely funny film

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Featured Audience Ratings

Stefanie C

Hilarious! This is just one more reason to adore Kaurismaki.
Anthony L

Ridiculous, absurd, stupid, hilarious, ingenious, rock and roll and just plane brilliant. I love Aki Kaurismäki's films but this is his stand out bizarre and surreal project, the 'cult' film every director has inside them. Matti Pellonpää is brilliant as the manager and… More
Ridiculous, absurd, stupid, hilarious, ingenious, rock and roll and just plane brilliant. I love Aki Kaurismäki's films but this is his stand out bizarre and surreal project, the 'cult' film every director has inside them. Matti Pellonpää is brilliant as the manager and the band is actually pretty good! Miss it and miss out, I can't believe so many of you have put 'Not interested'!?
Eric B

Imagine a Finnish Jim Jarmusch directing a no-budget remake of "The Blues Brothers." That's the feel of this 1989 cult comedy, which manages to be both deadpan and slapstick in equal doses. The Leningrad Cowboys are a large Siberian group who play traditional polkas.… More
Imagine a Finnish Jim Jarmusch directing a no-budget remake of "The Blues Brothers." That's the feel of this 1989 cult comedy, which manages to be both deadpan and slapstick in equal doses. The Leningrad Cowboys are a large Siberian group who play traditional polkas. They favor dark sunglasses, exaggerated Winklepicker shoes and ludicrous quiff haircuts that make Lyle Lovett look like Richie Cunningham. They sail overseas after a local record exec rejects them but advises that Americans "swallow any kind of crap." The group arrives in New York City, bringing along a coffin containing a bassist who recently froze stiff in the cold. Quick to prey upon the Cowboys' golden talents, a promoter books them to perform at his cousin's wedding. In Mexico. He also informs them about "rock and roll," the music that Americans prefer. The group immediately buys some secondhand records and learns this new style. They buy a giant black Cadillac (the junkyard dealer is Jarmusch himself) and hit the road for Mexico. On the way, they pass through the Deep South, playing bizarre gigs at rundown bars and clubs. Standards like "Rock & Roll Is Here to Stay," "Tequila" and "That's Alright, Mama" form the bulk of their repertoire. Their musicianship is reasonably solid, but the vocals are hopeless. Most of the humor is provided by the band's shady manager Vladimir, who buys them onions for meals while hiding a private stockpile of beer. Igor, the village idiot from their homeland, adds some mirth as he haplessly trails the group, hoping to give them an oversized fish he caught. "Leningrad Cowboys Go America" is short (78 minutes) and doesn't have much of an ending. Its humor is amusing rather than funny -- this is the sort of movie where you rarely laugh, but steadily smile. However, the tale has a unique, alien charm that balances its flaws. Note to readers who shun foreign films: The band members do speak broken English, and subtitles are not required beyond the opening minutes.