12 (2007)
A loose but beautiful remake of Sidney Lumett’s one of the best masterpieces of all time "12 Angry Men" (1957) and released in the 50th anniversary of the original. Set in a gym of a High School where some Russian "12 angry men" are struggling to decide the fate of a Chechen teenager who is charged with the murder of his Russian stepfather, the Army Officer, the Veteran of Chechen war who had adopted the boy after his mother and father were both killed. Instead of being confined to a common jury room, they have sent off to that old high school gymnasium next to the courthouse, one of them even said at one point whose condition reflects Russia’s crumbling infrastructure.
Like this way though it’s a remake of an American movie, apart from some basic similar elements the plot is very rooted in Russian reality. It tried to explore at its best the system of the current Russian society from the inside as well as the meaning of personal involvement in the life of a community; some reflects society's ills or even nation's fears.
The varied & brilliant cast helped the script to show its magic. In addition there are flashbacks of the accused Chechen teenager’s harsh childhood in war-torn Chechnya and more drama & twists at the end which I didn’t expect at all.
Anyway, overall it’s a pretty decent homage to the Original in a Russian way. I think it still will be a delightful watch for any great fan here of the original.
On a special note I like to add that Lumett’s
12 Angy Men is such a powerful masterpiece that I personally think deserves a remake in every country around the globe according to their social & cultural perspective like the way Nikita Mikhalkov treated this one for the Russian as well as global audience.
>>: A-
The Night Evelyn Came Out of the Grave (1971)
>>: B-