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5.7/10
Senior Film Conservator
A definitive 5.7/10 rating for a film that redefined the boundaries of cult cinema. Can't You Just Leave Me Out? remains a cornerstone of transgressive art.
Okay, so 'Can't You Just Leave Me Out?' is definitely a watch for the very curious, or if you're writing a paper on early Soviet film. If you're hoping for a fun Friday night flick, nope. This one's for film buffs who enjoy digging into cinema history, especially how everyday life was portrayed – and sometimes taught – back then. Everyone else will probably be pretty bored, let's be real. 😅
The whole thing centers on Comrade Lastochkin, played by Aleksandr Antonov, who just wants to eat his lunch. He goes to this public canteen, and it's just… a mess. The service is awful, the food looks sad, and honestly, you can almost smell the stale cabbage through the screen. 🤢
What's really interesting is Lastochkin's reaction, or lack thereof. He’s not angry, not demanding; he just kind of sighs and puts up with it. He actively doesn't want to get involved, which feels like a bold choice for a Soviet film of this era, even if it's setting him up as the 'wrong' example. You see his face, a mix of resignation and just wanting to get through the day.
Then the 'working people' step in. Suddenly, there’s this palpable shift. One minute, everyone's grumbling in line, the next, they're organizing. It's almost like a lightbulb goes off over the entire collective's head at once. The film shows this kind of spontaneous, but very unified, push for change. 💪
The scenes of the canteen transformation are quite direct. You get quick cuts of people cleaning, rearranging, maybe a new menu sign going up. It’s all very efficient and shows the power of everyone chipping in, which was a clear message they were trying to send. The contrast between the 'before' and 'after' is stark, a bit too perfect maybe, but you get the point.
One moment stuck with me: a waiter, who previously looked utterly miserable, suddenly has this **huge, almost forced smile** while serving a fresh plate. It’s so over-the-top it almost borders on funny. Like, *bam*, happy now! No slow adjustment, just instant joy. 😄
The pacing of Can't You Just Leave Me Out? is definitely of its time. Things move deliberately, sometimes a bit too slowly for modern eyes. There are long takes of people just queuing or eating, which really drives home the mundane aspect of their lives before the big change. You really *feel* that queue.
And Lastochkin? He watches it all happen, this whole revolution in his lunch spot. His initial reluctance gives way to… well, you see him sort of accept it. There’s no big dramatic epiphany, just a quiet understanding that things are better now. It’s a subtle shift, not some grand speech.
The film, written by Viktor Shestakov, isn't about deep character arcs or complex narratives. It’s more of a parable, a visual lesson in civic duty and collective improvement. It’s less a story and more an illustration, which is pretty common for cinema of this period from the region.
While it’s not exactly thrilling, it does offer a unique window into Soviet society's ideals. You won't be on the edge of your seat, but you might find yourself thinking about community effort. Or just how much you appreciate *good* canteen food. 🍜
IMDb —
1926
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