Moscow on the Hudson (1984)

My Review

Robin Williams plays a Russian musician who defects to America while on a trip to New York City in “Moscow on the Hudson.” Though this comedy-drama does exhibit fair production values and acceptable performances, it never reaches the height of excellence due to sloppy direction, mediocre writing, and a predictable plot by director Paul Mazursky (“Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice” 1969), who co-wrote the script with Leon Capetanos.

The cast with Williams includes Maria Conchita Alsonso (in her American film debut), Cleavant Derricks, Savely Kramarov, Elya Baskin, Oleg Rudnik, Yakov Smirnoff, Alejandro Rey. “Moscow on the Hudson” was a modest success in theatrical release for producer Paul Mazursky, Delphi Premier, and Columbia Pictures. It was filmed in Germany and New York City.