Walking Around Moscow is a charming film and it is easy to see why it is one of the most beloved Russian comedies. It follows Kolya, Volodya, and Sasha on their adventures around Moscow. This film focuses on the youth of Moscow and the city itself to tell this story. It is a lighthearted view of the city at the time and although the war is mentioned it does not seem to be a focus. Much of this movie consists of sweeping shots of the city as Kolya and Volodya roam around Moscow. As Kolya and Volodya make their way around Moscow they also interact with a number of people in many different, and oftentimes humorous, situations. Through these scenes we are able to see Moscow through the eyes of the youth and the preparation for Sasha's wedding further captures the theme of a new future. From this perspective a sense of hope for the future is garnered and the positivity of this film is established. The themes of hope and a return to a happier time are intrinsic to the aspirations of the thaw and the hope that many people had for more openness and freedom within the Soviet Union. Although it has a simple romantic plot, the film has a significant message and delivers it beautifully. Shots of the bustling, active city of Moscow and a thriving urban center help cement the idea that Moscow and the Soviet Union is regaining its previous prestige. This film is a lively depiction of Moscow and leaves you feeling happier and satisfied with its ending.

The film is a well-executed attempt to record the transient youth impressions of the aging generation of the Soviet baby-boomers. Or rather the inevitable fantasising about them 20+ years later. Not that it makes it any different from any other generation which has ever lived.Just as in the end of a news hour, there's a 60 second feel-good segment, in every generation, there's its own feel-good story. The scrutiny of how realistic those dreamy fantasies of the past are is beyond the point. Relaxing in the backyard's arm chair with a glass of well-deserved glass of wine reflecting on the past is of course a part of the drill.In the end, this patriotic narcissistic drivel could have been "Ya shagayu po Berlin (1964)" or "Ya shagayu po Hiroshima (1964)" full of love, spring vitality and romanticism. Which is of course fine as the life obviously goes on.And perhaps it's fine. It depends on the viewer's outlook. But for some, the film will be clearly interspersed with visual and conceptual references aggrandising and beautifying what the country has gone through in the preceding 50 years. A sort of the Soviet Union of Amnesia that is. A common propaganda "feel-good" trick in a wide range of other tricks in the toolboxes of various Ministries of Truth across the globe.One thing is for sure: this is a movie done by the power which won the war, so history is written accordingly. Small but curious detail.

"I Am Walking Along Moscow" aka "Ya Shagayu Po Moskve" (1963) is a charming lyrical comedy directed by Georgi Daneliya in 1963 that was nominated for Golden Palm at Cannes Film Festival. Daneliya proved that it is possible to create a masterpiece in the most difficult genre of romantic comedy. Made by the team of young and incredibly talented artists that besides Daneliya included writer/poet Gennady Shpalikov, composer Andrei Petrov, and cinematographer Vadim Yusov (who had made four films with Andrei Tarkovski), and the dream cast of the talented actors even in the smaller cameos, "I Am Walking Along Moscow" keeps walking victoriously through the decades remaining deservingly one of the best and most beloved Russian comedies and simply one of the best Russian movies ever made. Funny and gentle, dreamy and humorous, romantic and realistic, the film is blessed with the eternal youth and will always take to the walk on the streets of Moscow new generations of the grateful viewers.I would place it on the same level as Fellini's Roma or Woody's "Manhattan" - yes, I think it is that good and I see it as the love letter to the magnificent city on the Moskva River which used to by My city, too. It is about spring in Moscow of 1963, (in more ways than one), about youth, first love, smiles, sudden meetings and inevitable goodbyes. It takes place on the streets of Moscow, in its parks, subway stations, and movie theaters. It follows the "Moskvichi" and the guests of the city, young and middle-aged, romantic and tired, friendly and suspicious, happy and disappointed, wise and naive in the series of short vignettes and it introduces us to the characters whom we get to meet, to like, and to follow on their journey in the course of one long sunny rainy spring day.

I am curious so few comments here …this is truly great film and became classics.The movie portraits Soviet 'ottepel'' period but is not about politics-It is about Moscow, sincere human relations, freedom, youth, idealism, great actors' play, great song - 'A ya idu shagau po Moskve i ya proiti eshe smogu!…'.I like the spirit of the movie (freedom) which has been copied thousands of times in other Russian movies but neither succeeded.So, honestly, find and see this movie!My rating: 10/10.