The Tuner

"The Tuner" is a 2004 Russian drama-comedy film that comes from the proficient hands of renowned Ukrainian director Kira Muratova. The film boasts an exceptional ensemble cast featuring actors such as Georgiy Deliev, Alla Demidova, and Renata Litvinova. The film manages to blend the elements of drama, comedy and intrigue, creating a narrative that is as entertaining as it is thought-provoking.

The story turns upon the life of a young man named André, portrayed by Georgiy Deliev, who resides in the bustling city environment of contemporary Moscow. André is a charming individual with a deft touch on the piano and he uses his skill as a piano tuner to create a semblance of normalcy in his life. However, beneath this facade of a talented and endearing young man lurks a meticulous swindler whose criminal enterprises are as rhythmically regular as a finely tuned piano.

André, along with his love interest, Lina, played by Renata Litvinova, embark on risky theft operations under the guise of piano tuning services. They target the rich and lonely middle-aged or elderly women of the city, becoming contemporary Robin Hoods of the urban landscape. Their modus operandi is simple yet efficient – while André distracts the owners by doing his job of tuning the piano, Lina exploits the opportunity to stealthily rob them of their valuable possessions. Their operations are so seamless and polished that the victims often have no idea they have been robbed.

In the midst of all this subterfuge, the pair crosses paths with a wealthy woman named Anna Sergeyevna, played by Alla Demidova. Anna Sergeyevna is an aging and bitter woman whose bitterness is matched only by her loneliness and disillusionment with her life. She becomes an all-too-easy mark for André and Lina's scam, pulling viewers into a vortex of deceit, suspense, and drama.

"The Tuner" presents a unique perspective on contemporary Russian society, exploring themes of urban isolation, the craving for material possessions, and the morality of crime. It gradually exposes the complexities and ironies in the lives of its characters. One of the most notable aspects of "The Tuner" is Kira Muratova's unique narrative style. The film is full of lengthy shots and an episodic style of storytelling, weaving a narrative punctuated by a dose of dry, dark humor.

The performances by the actors are outstanding. Georgiy Deliev, through his portrayal of André, wonderfully brings forth the charisma of a young swindler, capturing not just the attention of the victims within the film, but also that of the audience. Alla Demidova pulls off the role of the lonely, elderly woman with laudable finesse, subtly bringing to light the depressing solitude of urban Russia’s elderly population. Renata Litvinova, meanwhile, with her distinct persona and commanding screen presence, ensures her character Lina is not forgotten.

That being said, "The Tuner" is more than just a film about two swindlers; it is an examination of societal norms, an exploration of the human condition in urban Russian society. Through layers of eccentricity and dark comedy, it emerges as a social critique of the sometimes harsh, isolating repercussions of urban modernity itself. Muratova’s characteristically absurd and deeply affecting style adds to the film's undeniable charm and allure, making it a must-watch in the realm of contemporary Russian cinema. In the end, "The Tuner" builds itself up to be a movie not only about deception and thievery but also a thought-provoking tale of people caught up in the intricate web of their desires, necessities and societal pressures.