This very funny documentary
about one man’s quest to hoist  the US’s
hit tv situation comedy ‘Everybody Loves Raymond’ on an unsuspecting Russian
audience could be subtitled ‘Lost in Translation’.  Written, directed and starring Phil Rosenthal
the creator of the TV show, its about the frustrations of adapting the hit
series for Russian TV.

Neither he or his new
partners seem to have grasped the whole unlikeliness of making this project
work.  Rosenthal is arrogant enough to
think that ‘Raymond’ is a masterpiece and should not be tinkered with, and his frustration of finding that outside the comfort zone of a Hollywood
studio, he simply will not get his own way is very evident.  The Russians on the other hand cannot comprehend for one single minute
why this simple comedy based on daily mundane events should be considered
remotely funny (and to be fair,  many Americans also think the same).

The impasse is hilarious
especially in scenes such as  when the overdressed and over made up costume designer who obviously gets all her
inspiration from the US ‘Real Housewives’ programs, insists on dressing
‘Raymond’s’ wife ‘Deborah’ like one of them even though in the scene she is just cleaning the house.

Somehow after a long arduous
process with countless compromises and seemingly endless delays that takes
almost a year, ‘Everyone Loves Kostya’ finally makes the air.  And to everyone’s surprise this hotchpotch
adaption is a big hit and is soon Number 1 in the ratings.

Rosenthal is generous  enough to laugh at himself as well as poking
fun at his new collaborators which makes the film a really enjoyable view.  But asides from that there is this overwhelming
feeling that this commercial venture owes its success more to luck than
judgement as neither of the parties really understood or respected each other one iota.

★★★★★★★★