Mark Zakharov has done a number of interesting, allegoric films ('To Kill a Dragon', for one), often adapting plays of Yevgeni Shvarts. Yet 'An Oridnary Miracle' is much more than just one in a bunch.What we have here is a tale coming to life, an allegory in its full sense. The plot is centered around the Wizard, played superbly by Oleg Yankovsky, and his wife (another fantastic performance by Irina Kupchenko). The Wizard utters words, and we see them come to life - literally. He is dictating every move of this story, setting the pace and force of action. Creating a solid world by imagination, a world that stumbles upon his tired wife and wouldn't leave until set right.The center of this imaginary world is a love story, a fairy tale of a bear turned into a man who has to be kissed by a princess to return to his true form. Zakharov handles this in a beautiful way. The love story is very romantic, yet never too sweet, accompanied with superb supporting characters of the King (Yevgeni Leonov) and his Minister Administrator (Andrei Mironov), the very stars of the Soviet Russian cinema.Everything is very theatrical in this movie. Anotther commenter here mentioned it's due to Zakharov's occupation as a theatre director. Yet it seems there's more to it, since other pictures of his hold less of this stage atmosphere. Having seen this movie numerous times, i like to think this 'theatricity' as, for one, an homage to Shvarts' plays, and also as yet another allegory of life and imagination, when everyone of us can be creators of many things. Creating our own life, which is nothing but an (un)ordinary miracle.The whole movie, i think, comes to a simple truth, articulated in many masterpieces (it would fit to remember Tarkovsky here): it is difficult to be a creator. This gift comes with its own rules, sometimes far beyond control. Yet by allowing it to come, we can produce small, ordinary miracles. To quote the theme song of the movie, 'awkwardly, funnily, illogically, mindlessly - miraculously'.

Based on a play by Yevgeniy Shwartz, one of the best Russian playwrights of the 20th century, made by one of the best directors of the Soviet epoch with an unprecedented all-stars cast, this movie has instantly become a classic of Russian cinema and theatre alike. Critics may point out various flaws in it, still it is indispensable for anyone who is out to understand Russian culture a bit more, or just for anyone, I might add.

This movie has always been a romantic inspiration to me. I understand, that for Western movie fans it must look too simple in terms of effects (if any :), but Mark Zakharov is a theatric director, so it is actually a movie PLAY, having a touch of theater.Øýü afraid that the half of the original flavor will be devoured by any however good translation - humor, romance, smallest shades of mood or feelings. But if you will get into the movie, if you will find the right tune for it - you will discover a lot of wonderful things about yourself, about feelings...

A beautiful film with great actors. A magician turns a bear into a young man who must kiss a princess in order to turn back into a bear. Leonov is hilarious as the King.