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Poster for Messenger Boy

Messenger Boy

Seen it?

1986 | 88 min | Drama, Romance, Comedy

Weeknight Watchearly rating

Why it’s a Weeknight Watch

With almost no lasting buzz, it's a mixed bag. Fine if it's on; don't plan your night around it.

Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.

Is it for you?

Who'll love it
One for anyone in the mood for a love story and anyone who wants a laugh. Best on a quiet night when you're in the mood to feel something. Liked Singin' in the Rain? This is a good next one.
The mood
Funny with heart, romantic.
The pace
Takes its time with its characters, at 1 hr 28 min. Short enough for a weeknight.
What might put you off
  • It's in Russian, so expect subtitles (or a dub).
  • Skip it if you need something light and fast tonight.

Ivan Miroshnikov, a cheeky young man in the Gorbachev era, is trying to figure out what to do with his life (he's not in college, and the 2-year mandatory military service is looming large ahead of him). Meanwhile, he lives with his divorced mother, and works as a courier at a Russian newspaper. Through his job, he meets patronizing Professor Kuznetzov and his rebellious daughter Katya. To annoy the professor, Ivan claims to have an affair with Katya. To his surprise, Katya backs his story up.

How it earned its rating

  • CriticsNot counted

    Not enough reviews on record yet

  • AudiencesSolid

    Our audience score: 64%

  • AwardsNot counted

    No major awards or nominations

  • Reach & staying powerSolid

    Streaming release that reached a small audience so far; still draws a steady audience long after release

  • Buzz & cultural impactWeak

    About 10K people sought it out in the past year

Trailer

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Cast & crew

Directed by Karen Shakhnazarov

  • Fyodor DunayevskyIvan
  • Anastasiya NemolyaevaKatya
  • Oleg BasilashviliKatya's father
  • Inna ChurikovaIvan's mother
  • Aleksandr Pankratov-ChyornyyIvan's chief
  • Vladimir MenshovGuest on Katya's birthday
  • Svetlana KryuchkovaZinaida Pavlovna
  • Alika SmekhovaNina
  • Sergey ChonishviliIlya
  • Nikolai Karnaukhovstaff department