Moscow On The Hudson (1984)

89% of critics liked it
(18 reviews)
48% of users liked it
(7,375 ratings)

Robin Williams stars as Vladimir Ivanoff, a Russian sax player working in a circus whose home life with his warm and colorful family does not compensate for his feelings of repression and lost opportunity in his native land. When the circus comes to New York, Williams goes on a shopping trip to… More Robin Williams stars as Vladimir Ivanoff, a Russian sax player working in a circus whose home life with his warm and colorful family does not compensate for his feelings of repression and lost opportunity in his native land. When the circus comes to New York, Williams goes on a shopping trip to Bloomingdale's -- where he suddenly announces his intention to defect. Befriended and given a place to stay by security guard Lionel Witherspoon (Cleavant Derricks), Vladimir makes the slow and sometimes painful transition from Russian to American citizen, helped along by his lady love (and fellow immigrant), Lucia Lombardo (Maria Conchita Alonso), and immigration attorney (and onetime Cuban refugee) Orlando Ramirez (Alejandro Rey). ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 58 min.
Directed By: Paul Mazursky
Genres: Drama, Comedy

In Theaters: Jan 1, 1984 Wide
On DVD: Nov 27, 2001
Studio: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment

Critic Reviews

Variety Staff, Variety
Moscow would be in a lot of trouble without a superbly sensitive portrayal by Robin Williams of a gentle Russian circus musician who makes a sudden decision to defect while visiting the US.
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
It made me feel good to be an American, and good that Vladimir Ivanoff was going to be one, too.
Vincent Canby, New York Times
Mr. Mazursky's fictional conceits do not do justice to Vladimir or to his situation, either in the Soviet Union or this country.
, Empire Magazine
As a fish-out-of-water comedy-drama, it works well.
Geoff Andrew, Time Out
Where it scores so highly is not only in its ability to evoke Vladimir's astonishment at the bizarre, sometimes brutal texture of New York life, but also in the generosity it extends to the musician's sad predicament.
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice
Gives patriotism a good name with its plentiful emotional and comic fireworks
, Film4
Essentially a vehicle for Williams to show off his manic shtick (and display the considerable acting skills that would later propel him into Oscar territory)...
James Sanford, Kalamazoo Gazette
Williams impresses, the script does not
Scott Weinberg, eFilmCritic.com
The first good look we got at Williams trying to broaden his horizons. Well done.

Read all 9 critic reviews

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Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

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Featured Audience Ratings

Jim H

A Russian saxophone player defects and falls in love. In this film the Declaration of Independence is quoted two separate times, the oath of citizenship is fully recited, and there are more American flags than at a political rally. Released in 1984, this film seems more like Cold War… More
A Russian saxophone player defects and falls in love. In this film the Declaration of Independence is quoted two separate times, the oath of citizenship is fully recited, and there are more American flags than at a political rally. Released in 1984, this film seems more like Cold War propaganda than a serious drama or comedy. The film's thesis valorizes American multiculturalism, featuring African-American, Cuban American, and Italian American (played by a Venezuelan) supporting players, and the notion that America is a tough but ultimately free refuge for people all over the world. Vladimir's immigrant experience isn't unfettered; he experiences his share of difficulties. However, the film is ultimately blindly romantic: none of Vladimir's troubles is institutional as he finds the wait time to take his citizenship oath the only impediment and the U.S. government more than accommodating. While I'll mention that most immigrants find their integration into American culture and society far more rocky, this is not the place to debate immigration policy. What is at stake is that the film comes off as wildly idealistic and myopically patriotic. Overall, within its time, <i>Moscow on the Hudson</I> clearly served a specific political purpose, but now it's merely frustrating, the chronicle of a dream you have to be asleep to believe.
Anthony L

I really enjoyed this! Why is it that it?s not very well known? One line in this had me wetting myself, I highly recommend it!
xGary X

Annoying and unfunny Williams vehicle that fails to either make any coherent political point or entertain in any way.
Dean M

Robin Williams is excellent in this gently amusing tale of a Russian circus saxophonist who decides to defect to the West.
Christopher O

A charming performance by Williams as a Russian who defects to America while on tour with the Russian Circus and how he tries to fit into his new country and he finds love with the beautiful Maria Alonso. Williams proved he had acting chops and the film for its time showed how people… More
A charming performance by Williams as a Russian who defects to America while on tour with the Russian Circus and how he tries to fit into his new country and he finds love with the beautiful Maria Alonso. Williams proved he had acting chops and the film for its time showed how people in other countries longed for the Amrican dream. Also ably directed by Paul Mazursky.
hawk l

Original seriocomedy balancing the haphazard, random, chaotic feel of everyday life with one man's determination to gain US citizenship. Maria Conchita Alonso is superb, though most impressive is Robin Williams.

Read all 6 featured audience ratings

Cast

            Robin Williams as Vladimir Ivanoff

            Maria Conchita Alonso as Lucia Lombardo

            Cleavant Derricks as Lionel Witherspoon

            Alejandro Rey as Orlando Ramirez

            Savely Kramarov as Boris

            Elya Baskin as Anatoly

            Oleg Rudnick as Yuri

            Natalie Iwanow as Sasha

            Tiger Haynes as Lionel's grandfather

            Edye Byrde as Lionel's Mother

            Robert Macbeth as Lionel's Stepfather

            Alexander Beniaminov as Vladimir's grandfather

            Kim Chan as Chinese Customer

            Anthony Cortino as Male Clerk

            Stephanie Cotsirilos as Veronica Cohen

            Michael Greene as Texan

            Thomas Ikeda as Korean Cab Driver

            Donna Ingram-Young as Lelanne

            George Kelly as Wild Bill Hawthorne

            Ludmila Kramarevsky as Vladimir's Mother

            Rosetta Le Noire as The Judge

            Betsy Mazursky as Bloomingdale's Manager

            Paul Mazursky as Dave

            Luis Antonio Ramos as Mexican Dishwasher

            Antonia Rey as Counter Woman at McDonald's

            Jacques Sandulescu as Truck Driver

            Yakov Smirnoff as Lev

            Sam Stoneburner as Panama Hat

            Fred Strother as Bill

            Olga Talyn as Svetlana

            Ivo Vrzal as Vladimir's Father

            Lyman Ward as Agent Williams

            Eric Orbom as Young Frenchman

            Barbara Montgomery as Mrs. Marlowe

            Paul Davidovsky as Russian Man

            Emil Feist as Circus Performer

            Michael T. Laide as Waiter at Reception

            Joe Lynn as Mean Man on Subway

            Sam Moses as Dr. Reddy

            Joy Todd as Blanche

            Vladimir Tukan as Strong Man

            Sal Carollo as Uncle Sal

            Armand Dahan as Iranian

            Murray Grand
            
            Linda Kerns as Fat Lady at Bloomingdale's

            Donald King
            
            Dana Lorge as Wanda

            Juanita Mahone
            
            Jose Rabelo as Supermarket Clerk

            Royce Rich as Bloomingdale's Cop

            Filomena Spagnuolo as Uncle Sal's Mother

            Christopher Wynkoop as Agent Ross

            Saveli Kramarov
            
See full cast