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The Cuckoo

PG-13 Released Jun 27, 2003 1h 39m Comedy Drama War List
87% Tomatometer 63 Reviews 89% Popcornmeter 2,500+ Ratings
At the close of Axis-aligned Finland's involvement in World War II, pacifist Finnish soldier Veikko (Ville Haapasalo) is trussed to a wilderness rock formation as punishment for desertion. Nearby, Soviet Capt. Ivan (Viktor Bychkov), en route to his trial for treason, survives the bombing of his transport. Anni (Anni-Kristiina Juuso), a local Sami woman, comes to the aid of both men, and an unlikely relationship is forged as three lonely souls attempt to survive the long winter.
The Cuckoo

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Critics Consensus

A sweet and amusing comedy.

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Critics Reviews

View All (63) Critics Reviews
Empire Magazine Rated: 3/5 Dec 30, 2006 Full Review Jamie Russell BBC.com Rated: 3/5 Nov 18, 2003 Full Review Chris Vognar Dallas Morning News Writer/director Alexander Rogozhkin has a way of lapsing into cuteness when the story calls for something more challenging, but The Cuckoo eventually finds its own kind of light, ridiculous tone that generally doesn't talk down to the characters. Rated: B Oct 9, 2003 Full Review Dennis Schwartz Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews Rogozhkin brings a needed sense of humanity to this well-realized war film. Rated: B Jul 7, 2016 Full Review Mark Halverson Sacramento News & Review Rated: 4/5 Aug 7, 2008 Full Review Emanuel Levy EmanuelLevy.Com Rated: 3/5 Sep 8, 2005 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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jim t It is a feeling and a wisdom. There are no words to describe it. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 06/07/23 Full Review hamid reza g The film "Coco" from the Russian cinema, made in 2002, is a charming anti-war comedy. The film, with all its ups and downs, takes the audience with it until the end. It is a film with few dialogues and few actors. A different love triangle is formed in the film where both men leave this female triangle alone. The film has three main characters, a Sami woman, a Finnish soldier, and a Russian commander, whose story is related to the end of World War II. All three characters do not understand each other's language, and their communication forms the essence of the film, and the film evokes this poem that empathy is better than speaking the same language. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 04/25/23 Full Review dave s Somewhere in the wilds of Finland, a Russian soldier named Ivan is being transported to his trial for treason when his escorts are killed. Meanwhile, nearby, Finnish soldier Viekko is secured to a rock as punishment for desertion and left to die. Both are ultimately saved by Anni, a Sami woman who lives alone in the desolate wilderness. The Cuckoo is an odd film, to say the least, but strangely appealing and charming. Due to the language barrier, none of the three are able to communicate with each other, but learn about their humanity through shared experiences. The characters are all well-rounded, the locale is beautiful, and the film leaves the viewer with something to think about. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 03/30/23 Full Review Audience Member A small masterpiece of humanity beyond language--A film of transcendent beauty!! Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/22/23 Full Review Audience Member Lost in translation European-style Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 02/05/23 Full Review Audience Member It's decidedly minor, but it's extremely enjoyable throughout, especially in its small diversion into the mythical toward the end. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/20/23 Full Review Read all reviews
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The Cuckoo

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Movie Info

Synopsis At the close of Axis-aligned Finland's involvement in World War II, pacifist Finnish soldier Veikko (Ville Haapasalo) is trussed to a wilderness rock formation as punishment for desertion. Nearby, Soviet Capt. Ivan (Viktor Bychkov), en route to his trial for treason, survives the bombing of his transport. Anni (Anni-Kristiina Juuso), a local Sami woman, comes to the aid of both men, and an unlikely relationship is forged as three lonely souls attempt to survive the long winter.
Director
Aleksandr Rogozhkin
Screenwriter
Aleksandr Rogozhkin
Distributor
Sony Pictures Classics
Production Co
Paramount
Rating
PG-13 (Sexual Content|Violence)
Genre
Comedy, Drama, War
Original Language
Russian
Release Date (Theaters)
Jun 27, 2003, Wide
Box Office (Gross USA)
$243.2K
Runtime
1h 39m
Sound Mix
Dolby Stereo, Dolby A, Dolby SR, Dolby Digital