Is My Frivolous Friend Worth Watching? Honest Movie Review & Audience Verdict (1975)

📖 The Core Premise

My Frivolous Friend returns to the screen in 1975, bringing a fresh narrative to the Comedy, Drama genre. At its heart, the film explores complex themes wrapped in a compelling storyline. As the plot unfolds, we see characters navigating a world where stakes are high. "Arvīds Lasmanis can't hold any job for long because he is not ready to tolerate deceit and slapdash work. He still has to feed his family, by chance he finds a well-paid job as a gravedigger. A friend helps Arvīds to find a place in a construction team, but other workers don't approve of Arvīds' high principles. His wife accuses him of not knowing how to make money, the family lives crammed in one room of a shared flat. The Soviet absurd comedy tells a story about a man who, while at odds with the system, won't lose his conscience and his true self, even if it means saying no to wealth and comfort."

🎬 Performance & Direction

A movie's success often hinges on its execution. While not a career-best, Janis Paukstello's presence adds a necessary stability to the proceedings. The direction aims to balance pacing with character development, a hallmark of good Comedy. While there are moments of brilliance, the pacing occasionally dips.

🤔 Why You Should Watch (or Skip)

Is My Frivolous Friend worth your time? If you appreciate Comedy, Drama films that take risks, this is likely a decent one-time watch. However, if you are looking for a flawless masterpiece, you might find some plot points predictable.

🏆 Final Verdict

Ultimately, My Frivolous Friend is a mixed bag with some redeeming qualities. With a runtime of 87 minutes, it asks for a significant time investment, but for the right audience, it pays off.

Our recommendation: Watch on OTT.