This once notorious drama (at least in its own country) was hailed as a breakthrough when first released simply for daring to show modern Soviet life without the usual State-approved propaganda halo, in all its actual anti-bureaucratic grubbiness. But watching the film on this side of the erstwhile Iron Curtain only reinforces the notion that Soviet youth culture is thirty years behind the rest of the world: despite the often oppressive details it might be just another quaint teen delinquency relic from early 1960s Hollywood, dubbed into Russian and updated with casual sex and drug abuse. In other words, it's hardly a revelation to discover that Russian kids are just as misunderstood by adults as their American role models. But while the attitudes may look dated to Western audiences, it's at least an honest attempt to portray something of the boredom and defiant posturing of youth, in a country not exactly noted for addressing its generation gap.

In a dull Russian industrial town, a young woman (Natalya Negoda) without plans for her life mixes with a heavy-drinking crowd and enjoys casual sex. Little Vera was the leader in ticket sales in the Soviet Union in 1988, and was the most successful Soviet film in the US since Moscow Does Not Believe In Tears (1979).This ultra-realistic look at life caused an uproar in Russia on its release; it certainly marks a change from state-approved films glorifying communism and collectivism. Yet though its reputation precedes it, Little Vera seems unexceptional by western standards, though decidedly bleak.

What I found so interesting about this film was the incredible contrast of subject matter and mood between this film and the Russian films that came before it.A product of Glasnost, in an attempt to modernize the cinema and remove censorship, allowed for Russians to be shown realistically and their individual stories be told instead of a happy Russian body of agreeable people.The film addresses the reality of dysfunctional families, crammed into small apartments, alcoholism, poverty, and young adults confused and rebelling against authority.Little Vera depicts Vera and her family with attitudes of hopelessness, apathy and loneliness.I liked the movie for the fact that it is ground breaking – showing problematic issues and stories of individuals that were never or could never be shown on screen previously under oppressive governments.I personally wouldn't watch it again. Its worth watching once! Once was enough for me because I hated all the characters and was left depressed after watching a movie where people are constantly fighting –but that- I think is the point of the film.

First of all this movie is a piece of reality very well realized artistically. Some kind of combination between "American Beauty" and "As Good as it gets". And of course something specifically to all Russian movies ( of course the valuable one, no dirty propaganda !) : the problem of loneliness of man ... Especially recommended for the people which really want to see beyond all vomitive propaganda about communism ( both positive or negative propaganda ! ). A movie about common people, their problems, lack of satisfactions - especially for young ones, fear when touch the real and too dirty face of the society ... and about the fake "solutions" : alcohol and violence ... and probably the only real solution : true love ... Of course it's very well "located" in the space and time of "Russian perestroika" but it's valid for all the society ( except a perfect one, but don't worry - not possible to find this on our Earth !). For the last time - definitely recommended ...