Danila Kozlovsky's Big Return to the Big Screen: What to Expect from 'Fire Zhorik'

I was sold on this movie after seeing the trailer, where Danila Kozlovsky was the lead. I made sure to add it to my must-watch list. When the film finally dropped, I headed to the cinema to catch it.

Plot

'Fire Zhorik' is a story about Maks, a young, ambitious guy from the provinces who's made it big in Moscow. He works for a recruitment agency, specializing in firing top managers, helping companies shake off unwanted shareholders, and other routine corporate stuff. His latest task is to get rid of the main programmer at a major IT company, Georgy. At first glance, it's a job that should be done in a few days – who is this Zhora, anyway? A 40-year-old bearded guy who's the epitome of simplicity and innocence... But it turns out he's a unique case, and firing him is virtually impossible, especially with his charming half-sister on the scene. Maks has to go through a series of hilarious, heartwarming, and perilous challenges that help him realize there's more to life than just career, money, and property.

The film 'Fire Zhorik' is another gem from the same director who brought us the 'Grandmother's Easy Behaviour' and 'Love in the Big City' films, as well as the TV series 'Uljetny Ekipazh' for STS. So, the main cast is comprised of familiar faces from the director's previous projects.

Casting

Meet Max, the ruthless guy who's always firing people who become a nuisance to their bosses or top shareholders. He's got a taste for easy money and a penchant for betraying his best friend. This led to him being demoted from a top HR manager to a regular department head in a small IT company. To pay off his debts and get a nice fat payout, Max has to choose between his genuine feelings and a big chunk of cash.

Then there's Zhor, a young guy who's still feeling like a teenager, despite being way past 35. He's got his quirks, his weirdness, and his lovable little traits. Zhor's the main IT guy in a small company, and he's got a heart of gold. He loves people and will go to great lengths to help them out, and he's also super environmentally conscious. Can his childlike innocence and naivety help him avoid getting fired from his job?

Finally, there's Sanya, Max's best friend and the top manager in the IT company. He's all about making big bucks and chasing after other people's women. Yana, played by Yana Koshkina, is the popular influencer who can't seem to choose between Max and Zhor. Alice, played by Natalya Bardina, is Zhor's little sister who's got a soft spot for her bro. She'll do anything to make sure he's happy.

What did I like most about the movie?

One thing that really stood out to me was the cast. I was pleasantly surprised by the chemistry between Kozlovsky and Galustyan, even with some pretty cringeworthy dialogue and a convoluted plot. The usual cast worked well together, probably because they've all worked with the director on multiple projects before.

I also loved the music - it was like a trip down memory lane with all the classic hits from the 90s. Oksana Pochepa's 'Such Love' and Tatyana Bulanova's 'Don't Cry' were both featured, along with a few modern Russian rappers like Feduk and his hit 'Flakes Are Falling Up'. It really added a sweet, vanilla vibe to the film with a hint of romance.

The locations were also well-chosen. I loved the bright, sunny Moscow scenes, as well as the Instagram-worthy IT office with its stylish, modern decor. It all looked really colorful and bold on screen.

The runtime of 1 hour 30 minutes was also just right for a Russian pseudo-comedy. It was short enough to fit into a busy schedule, but long enough to keep me engaged.

I also appreciated the idea behind the film - it was interesting and kept me on my toes. The pacing was well-balanced and never got boring, thanks in large part to Kozlovsky's presence on screen.

What I'd deduct points for?

I've gotta say, the jokes in this movie, in the style of Marus, sound almost identical to those we heard in every part of the film 'Grandma's Easy Behavior', and they're just not funny, at least not to me. The humor in this picture is definitely missing, and all we see are some ridiculous, completely unfunny moments, like the main character throwing up on a merry-go-round, getting beaten up by a group of bullies who break his fingers and toss him over the road or through a street bench. And, come on, the parents of Max openly think their son has a non-traditional sexual orientation, and it didn't surprise me at all, nor did the character try to prove them wrong - what a coincidence?

The script, which echoes some of the director's previous works in a few episodes, is getting old - I'd love to see something new instead of the same old musical production in every film. Throughout the movie, you can see echoes of the once popular, yet wild film Dukhless: the beginning seems like a continuation of the first part, and a few episodes, behavior, and the hero's character all remind me of the director's old work.

So, to sum it up

I've got one question after watching this: how did Danila end up in this movie? Don't even get me started on the main cast - the ones who work with the director on every project. I'm really curious to know if Danila had a hard time choosing roles after all the events we've seen him in, or if he just wanted to support the director and his team.

Leaving the cinema, I was trying to decide on a rating: I didn't hate the movie, but it didn't exactly blow me away either. If it wasn't for Kozlovsky, I'd probably have given it a solid two stars without hesitation. But as it was, I enjoyed watching him throughout the whole film, couldn't stop smiling, and had to keep my eyes glued to the screen. It's been a while since I've seen an actor on the big screen, so I'm glad I got to experience that. As for the recommendation: if you're a huge fan of Kozlovsky's charm, then this movie is definitely worth checking out. But if he's not your cup of tea, you might want to skip it. Honestly, if you're having a free and cozy evening, you could do worse than staying home and watching this film. It's a great way to unwind, let go of your worries, and just relax. So, grab some popcorn, get comfortable, and enjoy the show!