“Life—it is what it is. Life is wonderful, life is beautiful, I love everything about life…love conquers all, and when you have love, you have everything,” says James Watson as he puffs on a cigarette just barely hanging from his mouth. James, seemingly bedridden and without the use of his limbs, is courageously optimistic in spite of his condition as he serves as this sage-like mentor to Victor (Chris Galust), a medical transport van driver. As James imbues the much younger Vic with morsels of truth regarding love and authenticity among other topics, this thoughtful exchange serves as the sentimental linchpin to director Kirill Mikhanovsky’s second full-length film titled “Give me Liberty.”
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A semi-autobiographical journey that mirrors the director’s experiences as a young Russian-American immigrant, “Give Me Liberty” provides profound insight into what it is/was like navigating Milwaukee, which is regarded as the most segregated city in the United States. With Vic, his conduit of reflection, the director tries to rectify this caustic environment through dark comedy, a la a ragtag team consisting of elderly Russian immigrants and disabled people crammed into this small-ish painter’s van.
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Racing against the clock to pick up clients, namely Tracy Holmes (Lauren ‘Lolo’ Spencer), a young African American woman with ALS—while dropping off others along the way, Vic’s day worsens when street protests break out as a result of an act of police brutality. Trying to make up for squandered time, Vic’s driving becomes a little reckless and gets involved in a minor accident with a man who as a result, demands to be paid $500 straight-up instead of dealing with another insurance company. With Tracy’s incessant criticism in his ears, Vic panics and flees the crash scene once the man becomes too threatening to deal with, thus, cementing certain consequences later on in the movie. Heated tension behind them, Vic and Tracy become much more friendly with each other after a dark, funny funeral scene. In fact, It appears Vic may be falling in love with Tracy. The remainder of “Give Me Liberty” encounters many more detours and bumps in the road for Vic.
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Though it is an idealist rendering of the American dream that may or may not exist, Mikhanovsky’ film accentuates the often-explored notion that love conquers all. Earnestly attempting to bridge the gap between people of different walks of life, “Give Me Liberty” teems with life and conviction. It’s a genuinely affecting feature through and through.
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While the story of “Give Me Liberty” unpacks like a kinetic sphere of energy through a snowballing procession of charismatically comical events, none of this is possible without the convincing cast Mikhanovsky constructs. Each and every performance on-screen proves to be essential to the film’s claustrophobic energy. Dima (Maksim Stoyanov), who self-proclaims himself as Vic’s cousin, is carefree and loosens up everyone and around him with laughter and his charismatic, boxer mentality. Tracy is the brains and the very fiery strength that mandates all the admiration in spite of her battle with ALS. With this ambition, passion for life and fiery spite, it is clear as to why Vic begins to fall in love with her.
Probably the wisest and most easiest-to-love character is James. Near the end of the movie, James tries to get Vic— who is generally reserved and unwilling to open up—to talk about himself. But then he offers heartrending words of encouragement before he could say anything at all: “I’m talking to you like I’m talking to my son—I love you son. You’re one of the most respectful, honest and dependable people I know.” Given how infectious and endearing James’ and Vic’s slightly undefined relationship is, it is unfortunate we do not get more interaction between these two. Needless to say, the rare instances are utmost fulfilling and devastatingly beautiful.
As the son of poor Russian immigrants, Vic possesses an innate ability to connect with people that are marginalized and “different” per se. In fact, he learns about himself through individuals who haven’t been dealt the best hand in life. But because these individuals: James, Tracy and his family, have all persevered through the trials and tribulations of the American Dream gone awry, Vic’s selfless spirit is galvanized.
Throughout this film, Vic, a Russian-American, teeters back and forth, navigating between the Russian value of family and the time-oriented obligations of his job, which results in an incredibly distressed individual unsure of who he is what his purpose in life may be. There’s a moment in “Give Me Liberty” where Vic’s mother (Zoya Makhlina)—crying hysterically—asks her son, “why are you always in such a rush?” Though this question is first and foremost for the main character, it is one that audiences are indirectly posed with and left to answer themselves.
While it may be important to slow down, to let go of the quickened, time-constrictive “American” hustle and bustle of everyday life, and to instead, approach life as Dima suggests, “The Russian way, the good way,” the most poignant message of this film involves the connectivity of perseverance that ‘should’ pervade the American Dream and humanity altogether. Through each frame of “Give Me Liberty,” viewers encounter different people from different walks of life all cooped up in a beat up dodge van small van. As Vic chauffeurs, these individuals through a racially divided city—Mikhanovsky delivers a profound statement that celebrates the connective tissue of humanity with honesty, sensitivity and an endearing heart. [A-]