Russian comedy "Speakerphone”From the famous“ Quartet I ”in the CIS was shot recently, but the Italian film“ Ideal Strangers ”, of which it is a remake, was released back in 2016.
This is a story about a company of friends who have known each other for more than 30 years. Gathered together, they assure their wives that they have no secrets from them, and that one woman is invited to lay out phones on the table and answer all the calls through the speakerphone and read them out loud.
Fun at first glance, the game helps to reveal such secrets that friendships and families are at risk.
The tape, despite the obvious lag behind the original, turned out to be solid, so we decided to put together a list of 10 films similar to the Speakerphone in 2019.
10. The Massacre (2011)
Tragicomedy "Massacre"Was filmed by director Roman Polanski based on the play by Jasmina Reza"God of carnage».
In the center of the plot are two married couples (Cowans and Longstreets), whose children staged a fight at a break at school. The Cowens go home to the Longstreets to sort out the situation, but there is no peace conversation.
Alcohol only exacerbates the matter and the problems of both couples that they were afraid to discuss before begin to come out.
The film will appeal to fans of chamber cinema, since most of the events unfold in an ordinary Brooklyn apartment (although Polanski shot in Paris).
Also worth noting is the cast: Christoph Waltz, Kate Winslet, John Riley and Jodie Foster form an excellent quartet.
9. The game of truth (2013)
Russian comedy starring Gosha Kutsenko, Dmitry Maryanov, Konstantin Yushkevich and Irina Apeksimova.
The plot is simple, but still interesting: three old friends (a car dealer, a businessman and not the most successful physicist) came together to relax and nostalgic for the old days.
Maya brings contention to the men's company: a woman with whom all three were once deeply in love. The situation is aggravated by the fact that she has been confined to a wheelchair for 5 years.
To get rid of this awkwardness, the company decides play the truth and this is fundamentally changing the party. Joking and seemingly innocent questions reveal such facts of the past that the friendly atmosphere instantly collapses.
8. Meeting place (2017)
Italian film "Meeting point»Can be called the most original in our selection, as the plot is really unusual.
Imagine a cafe with a nameless man sitting at a table. He is ready to fulfill any desire of any person, but only on condition that his task will be completed first, which can also be any.
For example, when a man asks to find the stolen money, he receives the task to beat the man half to death. Having done this, he receives a message about the money found.
The blind man wants to regain his sight, but first he must rape the woman.
A woman dreams that her husband will fall in love with her again, but to fulfill this desire, she first needs to destroy the family of others.
Tasks are always interesting, and people's actions are unpredictable.
7. Loves / dislikes (2011)
Another domestic romantic comedy, which, although it does not bring anything new to the genre, at least does not disgrace Russian cinema.
The protagonist of the film "Love does not love"- a young, ambitious guy named Alex, who has great prospects. He is preparing for the wedding with the daughter of an influential businessman, and this marriage is more by calculation than by love.
On the plane, he meets Irina, a reckless journalist who has a huge impact on Alexei.
After this fleeting meeting, he is no longer sure whether he needs a wedding and whether he has set the right goals for himself in life.
6. The Secret Life of Dentists (2002)
Film "The Secret Life of Dentists”Director Alan Rudolph tells the story of a rather strange dentist, giving the impression of not quite sane person. Both neighbors and patients considered him that way, but since his jokes and “corrals” did not cross borders, they tried to ignore this.
That was until the moment when he began to suspect his wife of treason, who was always a model of marital fidelity and also bore him three children.
The matter was compounded by the fact that the dentist began to listen to the ghost's advice, which is to him. In such a situation, anything can happen and watching it is fun and to some extent useful, as you can learn something instructive.
5. Dinner with friends (2001)
The comedy drama of Donald Margulis with Andy MacDowell, Denis Quaid and Tony Collett starring about a meeting of old friends who are starting to discuss marriage and relationships. Of course, the conversation drags on and “forbidden” topics begin to rise.
The journalist of the Variety publication spoke best of all about the picture: “«Dinner with friends”Is distinguished by such impressive work, Margulis’s ability to bring the feeling of loss and fear of change to the forefront in a truly honest manner, without forcing events or raising questions too directly».
The film received two Emmy nominations, including for Outstanding Film for Television.
4. Husbands and wives (1992)
«Husbands and wives"- an American comedy-drama film, written and directed by Woody Allen, who invited his favorite actors: Mia Farrow, Sidney Pollack, Judy Davis, Lysette Anthony, Juliette Lewis, Liam Neeson and Blythe Danner.
The film was nominated for two Academy Awards: for Best Actress in a Supporting Role (Judy Davis) and Best Original Screenplay (Woody Allen).
Peter Travers from Rolling Stone called the story of the relationship between the two couples “defining film for these emotionally drained times».
3. The game (2018)
Dramatic comedyA game"Is incredibly similar to" Handsfree ", but thanks to the French flavor and talented actors, watching it is even more interesting.
The plot revolves around gatherings of a company of friends of seven people who become bored during a feast and have the idea to put all incoming calls on speakerphone so that everyone can hear the interlocutor.
As it’s not hard to guess, such entertainment goes sideways to each of those present who learn a lot of new things about each other.
2. Little Secrets (2010)
Another French film, but this time with stars of the first magnitude: Marion Cotillard, Francois Clauzet, Jean Dujardin.
In the tape "Little secrets”Presents another motley group of friends, including a successful businessman, drug addict, loser actor,“ windy ”girl, etc.
A misfortune occurs with the addict and he ends up in the hospital, which greatly affects the mood of other friends who have gathered for a joint rest. They decide not to cancel it, but if they knew in advance what would come of their conversations at the businessman’s country villa, they would certainly refuse to go there.
1. Ideal Strangers (2016)
We finish our selection with the same Italian film "Perfect strangers", A remake of which was the Russian comedy.
The plot is generally identical: seven friends, a feast, an offer to read out incoming SMS messages aloud and transfer calls to speakerphone, gradually emerging secrets, quarrel, misunderstanding, etc.
All this is flavored with rare but successful jokes, and is also accompanied by an excellent acting performance. The film was rightly nominated for the Italian national film award “David di Donatello” in 8 categories (they managed to pick up only 2 awards, but important ones: for the best script and best film).