I watched it alone in my hotel room in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. My Russian guide, Olga took us to a well-known Georgian restaurant called Mimino ! and she enthused about the movie . I am Australian , love movies , and have enjoyed films from Iran, Argentina, Bosnia , and a few Russian films. I can't say this was a hit with me. It was mildly funny to start with, but then was a challenge to keep with it. I had a few chuckles at bits of nonsense . I missed bits of the story , but realized the Azerbaijani truck driver was key to the plot line. When Mimino was suddenly flying airliners, I thought this was all in his fantasy, but apparently not. After reading rave reviews on IMDb, I gather I missed the subtle (?) humour in accents, mistakes in grammar. It was labeled as a cult classic ! Mimino had this awful habit of flying into a rage at the mildest check . I think his airline boss did this too. Not funny in my books. The music was charming to start, then I became unaware of it. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone who wasn't Russian or Georgian. I gather that extraordinary plane was a Tupolev Tu-144 , looks like the Concorde.

Mimino is without doubt the most famous Georgian movie and the best Georgian movie.I have seen this movie when I was with a Georgian and who lives in the Netherlands.He translated and explained me the jokes and conversations.I know a Georgian who saw this movie maybe 100 times.When I ask:why do you watch this movie so much?He gives me the answer:I can see this movie always because the humor is so good.He has a point there because after 100 times watch this movie he still laughs.I speak a little bit Russian so I understand a little bit.There was an Armenian who said:What a pity you don't know very good Russian because its a great movie.I asked:Why is this movie not available with Dutch subtitles and a Georgian said:Its the Georgian culture its for Georgians and Soviets.You must understand the Soviet culture and the Russian language.But I think the stupid American movies like Naked Gun are in every country on television and in every country available on DVD.So why not Mimino then?

This movie isn't just a movie! It is about country and about ideology, and about human beings remaining human beings with all their ups and downs regardless any coward ideology and any stiff system they have to live with. If You ever tell "MIMINO" to any ex-soviet person, who lived there in 1970s, he will give you quotes from this movie non-stop for dozen minutes, he will laugh for himself and repeatedly say "and then, remember this?... or how about another tune..." Georgian and Armenian meet in Moscow - both with their simple lives and some dreams, and lead us in their complex relationship of jealousy, anger, determination, friendship and outstanding standby. George Danelia's masterpiece movie based on play by Georgian "Tonino Guerra" - Rezo Gabriadze, famous artist, director of Tbilisi puppet theater, and such a diamonds fall of outstanding actors leaded by Buba Kikabidze and Frunzik Mkrtchyan. Many serious themes are touched with impeccable Goergian humor and with lovely Georgian songs. I'm afraid the movie cannot be truly appreciated by non-Soviet audience - there is a special "code" in every joke there, but ones who knew that monster country personally they would love to remember its few best sides - people, entertainment, friendship...

This is the best movie about human relationship. The best tragicomedy ever! Danelia's masterpiece. Kikabidze's and Mkrtchan's best roles. I presume this is the bset soviet and russian film. Shame that many ppl in the world didnt see it!!!