Check
Check

Check

1991Movie107 minJapanese

Set in Osaka's Shinsekai, the film depicts the lives of Ayumu Tobita (Hidekazu Akai), who makes a living as a shogi gambler (shinken-shi), and Ryuzo Kayama (Masaya Kato) who aims to become a professional player.

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IMDb7.0/10
Director: Aleksei BalabanovGenres: Drama

Plot Summary

A bleak and gritty portrayal of post-Soviet Russia, the film follows a former soldier who struggles to adapt to civilian life amidst widespread social decay and disillusionment. He finds himself drawn into a criminal underworld, where survival depends on one's ruthlessness and ability to navigate a treacherous landscape. The narrative delves into themes of existential despair, moral compromise, and the search for meaning in a broken society.

Critical Reception

Check (also known as 'Proverka na dorogakh' in its original Russian title) received critical acclaim for its stark realism and unflinching depiction of the human condition. Reviewers praised its raw performances and Balabanov's distinctive directorial style, which captured the bleak atmosphere of the era. While not widely released internationally, it is considered a significant work in Russian cinema for its honest and often disturbing exploration of societal collapse and individual struggle.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its stark realism and gritty atmosphere.
  • Acclaimed for its unflinching portrayal of societal breakdown.
  • Noted for powerful, raw performances from its cast.

Google audience: Information regarding Google user reviews for this film is not readily available.

Fun Fact

Although Aleksei Balabanov became famous for his later films like 'Brother' and 'Brother 2,' 'Check' is considered an early, formative work that established his characteristic style of exploring the darker aspects of Russian society.

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