Prostye veshchi

Sergei Maslov is a badly paid hospital anaesthetist. He is being worn down by his wretched accommodation which he shares with a Georgian driver and an infirm old woman. To make matters worse, he loses his driving licence and has to cope suddenly with his daughter leaving home. He is only slightly placated by the income he gets for caring privately for an aging actor. Having only just gained his trust, his famous patient starts overburdening him with his senile whims. Maslov is concerned about his daughter's future. The crisis comes to a head when the actor makes him an enticing offer. He intends bequeathing to him a valuable painting. A great deal of time passes before Maslov realises the significance of the "uneasy lightness of being"... This essentially optimistic story highlights the bleak side of the daily life of ordinary people, in particular, their ability to adapt themselves when faced with unpleasant dilemmas. (Karlovy Vary International Film Festival)