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Russian comedy “Speakerphone” from the well-known in the CIS “Quartet I” was filmed quite recently, but the Italian film “Perfect Strangers”, of which it is a remake, was released back in 2016.
This is a story about a group of friends who have known each other for over 30 years. Gathered together, they assure their wives that they have no secrets from them, to which one woman proposes to put the phones on the table and answer all calls on the speakerphone, read the text messages aloud.
Fun at first glance, the game helps to reveal secrets such that friendships and families are at risk.
The tape, despite the obvious lagging behind the original, turned out to be solid, so we decided to compile a list of 10 films similar to 2019’s Speakerphone.
10 Massacre (2011)
Tragicomedy “Massacre” was filmed by director Roman Polanski based on the play by Yasmina Reza “God of Carnage».
In the center of the plot are two married couples (Cowan and Longstreet), whose children got into a fight at recess at school. The Cowens go to the Longstreet’s home to sort out the situation, but a peaceful conversation fails.
Alcohol only aggravates the matter and the problems of both couples, which they were previously afraid to discuss, begin to come out.
The film will appeal to fans of chamber cinema, as most of the action takes place in an ordinary Brooklyn apartment (although Polanski filmed in Paris).
Also worth noting is the cast: Christoph Waltz, Kate Winslet, John Riley and Jodie Foster form an excellent quartet.
9. Truth Game (2013)
Russian comedy starring Gosha Kutsenko, Dmitry Maryanov, Konstantin Yushkevich and Irina Apeksimova.
The plot is simple, but still interesting: three old friends (a car dealer, a businessman and not the most successful physicist) got together to relax and nostalgic for the old days.
Maya brings discord into the men’s company: a woman with whom all three were once head over heels in love. The situation is aggravated by the fact that she has been confined to a wheelchair for 5 years.
To get rid of the embarrassment that has arisen, the company decides play the truth and it changes the party. Joking and innocent at first glance, questions reveal such facts of the past that the friendly atmosphere collapses in an instant.
8. Meeting point (2017)
Italian movieMeeting point” can be safely called the most original in our selection, since the plot is really unusual.
Imagine a cafe with a nameless person sitting at a table. He is ready to fulfill any desire of any person, but only on the condition that his task is completed first, which can also be any.
For example, when a man asks to find stolen money, he is given the task of beating the man half to death. Having done this, he receives a message about the found money.
The blind man wants to regain his sight, but first he must rape the woman.
A woman dreams that her husband will love her again, but in order to fulfill this desire, she first needs to destroy someone else’s family.
Tasks are always interesting, and people’s actions are unpredictable.
7. Likes/dislikes (2011)
Another domestic romantic comedy, which, although it does not bring anything new to the genre, at least does not disgrace Russian cinema.
The protagonist of the movieLove does not love“- a young, ambitious guy named Alexei, who has great prospects. He is preparing for the wedding with the daughter of an influential businessman, and this marriage is more of convenience than love.
On the plane, he meets Irina, a reckless journalist who has a huge impact on Alexei.
After this fleeting meeting, he is no longer sure whether he needs a wedding and whether he has set the right goals for himself in life.
6. The Secret Life of Dentists (2002)
Film “The Secret Life of Dentists” Directed by Alan Rudolph, it tells about a rather strange dentist who gives the impression of a not quite sane person. Both neighbors and patients considered him so, but since his jokes and “pens” did not cross the borders, they tried not to pay attention to it.
This was until the moment when he began to suspect his wife of treason, who had always been a model of marital fidelity and also bore him three children.
The matter was aggravated by the fact that the dentist began to listen to the advice of a ghost, which is to him. In such a situation, anything can happen and watching it is fun and somewhat useful, as you can learn something instructive.
5. Dinner with Friends (2001)
Donald Margulies’ comedy-drama, starring Andie MacDowell, Denis Quaid and Toni Collette, is about a meeting of old friends who begin to discuss marriage and relationship issues. Of course, the conversation drags on and “forbidden” topics begin to rise.
The journalist of Variety spoke best of all about the picture: “«Dinner with friends» stands out for such impressive work, Margulis’s ability to bring loss and fear of change to the fore in a really honest manner without forcing things or asking questions too directly».
The film received two Emmy nominations, including Outstanding Motion Picture for Television.
4. Husbands and Wives (1992)
«Husbands and wives” is an American comedy-drama film written and directed by Woody Allen, who invited his favorite actors: Mia Farrow, Sydney Pollack, Judy Davis, Lisette Anthony, Juliet Lewis, Liam Neeson and Blythe Danner.
The film was nominated for two Academy Awards: Best Supporting Actress (Judy Davis) and Best Original Screenplay (Woody Allen).
Peter Travers of Rolling Stone called the story about the relationship of two couples “defining film for these emotionally drained times».
3. Game (2018)
Dramatic comedy “Game“Incredibly similar to” Speakerphone “, but thanks to the French flavor and talented actors, it is even more interesting to watch it.
The plot revolves around gatherings of a group of friends of seven people who get bored during the feast and the idea is put forward for discussion to put all incoming calls on the speakerphone so that everyone can hear the interlocutor.
As you might guess, such entertainment goes sideways to each of those present, who learn a lot of new things about each other.
2. Little Secrets (2010)
Another French film, but this time with the stars of the first magnitude: Marion Cotillard, Francois Cluzet, Jean Dujardin.
In the tape “Little Secrets” presents another motley company of friends, including a successful businessman, a drug addict, an unsuccessful actor, a “windy” girl, etc.
A misfortune happens to the drug addict and he ends up in the hospital, which greatly affects the mood of the rest of the friends who have gathered for a joint vacation. They decide not to cancel it, but if they knew in advance what would come out of their conversations at the businessman’s country villa, they would certainly refuse to go there.
1. Perfect Strangers (2016)
Let’s finish our selection with the very Italian film “Perfect Strangers”, the remake of which was the Russian comedy.
The plot is generally identical: seven friends, a feast, an offer to read aloud incoming SMS messages and transfer calls to the speakerphone, gradually emerging secrets, a quarrel, misunderstanding, etc.
All this is flavored with rare but successful jokes, and is also accompanied by an excellent game of actors. The film was deservedly nominated for the Italian national film award “David di Donatello” in 8 categories (it managed to pick up only 2 awards, but important ones: for best screenplay and best film).