The second time I saw this film I could see why people had said it was sentimental, overly staged. However I thought it was worth seeing a second time...Because the first time I saw it, one woman in the group of friends I went with was an international expert on Russian literature and Dostoyevsky in particular. She said she thought the film got to the nub of a Russian preoccupation... this woman wrestling with her identity. (OK she happens to be an American woman). If such an intellectual heavyweight thought it worth her 3 hours, it can't be that bad.The comments in other threads about the film not getting enough coverage don't tell us anything about the intrinsic value of the film. If anything they simply tell us that markets everywhere are different (a triumph of anti-globalism?) AND/OR that many many good films are made which we never hear about. Many good books are written and never published. Many beautiful people never make it to Hollywood...

I like a lot of movie's , but The Barber of Siberia is to me a 10+ movie! An epic romance about lost love, betrayal and the human spirit.It is Nikita Mikhalkov's most ambitious film and first film shot in English. It's one of my favorite, absolutely brilliant, movie.Hertbreaking love story with Julia Ormond (as Jane) always in movement like a waltz that sometime turns into a polka and sometimes into a french cancan. Oleg Menshikov played the lead role in 17 films and worked with the most talented Russian directors.Oleg was born on November 8 1960 in Senpoukhov, Moscow.In 1981 he graduated from Chtepkine Drama School and started to perform on various stages, playing in The Idiot and Caligula(for which he was named Best Actor at Moscow Theatre Festival in 1991).In 1998 he accepted the Russian National Prize for his entire work in film.I visit Moscow ,special to see the shooting-location.The bridge over the Yauza (krasnokazarmennaja pl),the prison on misjudge per,Faleevskij per, the small street near Kremlin.Also Novodevitsje(the lake). For your interest; on DVD by RUSCICO, wildscreen.180 min, 16:9. Specials +++. also PAL. all region.

I guess I'm an odd one for using the word "fun" to describe this movie but it's the only word I could think of after viewing the Barber of Siberia. BOS isn't the typical period piece, it's not stuffy like the English ones and it's not heavy handed like in your standard Russian flicks. It has something that a lot of period films lack, HUMOR! The movie doesn't take itself too seriously and it goes along at a very brisk pace. Julia Ormond is one of the most beautiful and talented actresses of all time and this is an excellent vehicle for her. I will say this isn't the movie for serious film snobs, it's very light and audience pleasing. I would recommend Barber of Siberia to anyone looking for something different.

Master piece, incredible, magnificent, marvelous. Most probably English language doesn't have enough suitable words which I would use when trying to share my emotions about this movie. I watch it over and over and I still cannot believe that we lost that feeling somewhere along the line... Oleg and Julia had never lost it and they will always remind everyone that the only right decision is the one coming from the heart. Magnificent movie, full of life as thge life is, full of unforgettable moment, excellent screenplay, great director, great actors...Movie full of love, life and everything that we almost forgot that exists. Thank you Oleg, Julia and Nikita for this movie!!!