The beautiful film 'Arrhythmia' made in 2017 by Boris Khlebnikov reminded me of a brand of Russian (Soviet in fact) cinema that I had kind of forgotten and which I really liked in the late '70s and early '80s. Those movies were bringing to screens simple and moving stories from the lives of ordinary people, the inhabitants of the Soviet empire of that time. they were telling such human and emotional stories and presenting without any propaganda ornaments the reality of the last decades of communism in the country that was trying to impose it on the world and especially on the Eastern Europe. Of course, there were limits, there were never any direct criticisms of the communist regime, but even apolitical approaches were a stance in those years. 'Arrhytimia' similarly manages to bring to screen a sample of today's Russian reality with its people, conflicts and problems. The quality of acting and film production is no lesser than of the best such films I can remember from 40 years ago.

Oleg and Katia are a young couple from a provincial town in Russia today who are living an uneasy marriage. At the origin may be the difference in education and social position between the two, who both work in the emergency teams of the health system. Katia is a surgeon. Oleg is just a paramedic, works on ambulances, provides first aid, saves lives. The film follows him especially, and the intervention scenes of his team captivated me, although I'm not a big fan of movies or series with medical themes. Oleg is one of those paramedics that anyone wants in the difficult times when calling the emergency services - dedicated, competent, humane, brave, takes responsibility for his actions, refuses compromise and fights bureaucratic complications. However, this total involvement in the profession has a negative impact on the rest of his personality and private life - Oleg drinks excessively and does not have the time, power or maybe even the emotional intelligence to express his feelings towards Katia and not let the work on ambulance and hospitals take over their lives. Their marriage is in danger of falling apart. Katia shows a lot of love and understanding, but for how long?

The film could have easily slipped into easy melodrama or medical techno-drama, but it doesn't, because the script is written with intelligence and sensitivity (with the exception maybe of the ending which disappointed me). The acting interpretations of the two main protagonists are exceptional: Aleksandr Yatsenko and Irina Gorbacheva perform two beautiful roles, authentic and profound psychologically. It's hard not to resonate, even to fall in love with them watching this movie. But the other characters are also remarkable, from Oleg's ambulance colleague and the chief sent from Moscow to implement the new working rules of the ministry, to the small roles of the people met during the various emergency interventions. Following them we get the impression that we are acquainted with an entire sector of contemporary Russian society and especially with its people. 'Arrhythmia' is both a beautiful love story that takes place in the context of a troubled marriage, and an excellent open door to the human universe of today's Russia. Highly recommended.

Meet Oleg Mironov (Aleksandr Yatsenko). He's a dedicated emergency services doctor. In US we call them EMTs. He and his wife Katya. (Irina Gorbacheva) a nurse, are deeply in love, although Katya is at an end with Oleg's drinking, a professional hazard here in the US. After a drunken scene at Katya's father's birthday party, Katya wants a divorce. At home Oleg sleeps on the kitchen floor.

Oleg has problems at work too. A new boss imposes a 20 -20 - 20 rule: 20 minutes to reach a call, 20 minutes to stabilize the patient, 20 missions per shift. All the docs/EMTs protest the change which runs contrary to individualized needs in the care of the particular patient. The boss is nonplussed.

When Oleg violates the rule, he fails to respond to a heart seizure and causes a death.

Well the crew drowns their sorrows at Oleg's apartment. Though there's friction in the house, Katya joins the party singing a teenage love song about love running hot in the summer at Yalta but growing cold in the autumn.

After the party Oleg and Katya in drunken bliss get it on. Afterwards responding to Oleg's suggestion that he might have gotten Katya pregnant, Katya tells Oleg she has had an IUD installed and can't get pregnant.

A pout follows. Oleg runs off but he comes back to reconcile.

Arrhythmia (Russian letters may differ) is Russian drama at its finest . Many commentators have said that it accurately depicts daily life of nurses and doctors struggling against the bureaucrat - ism of Eastern European Socialized medicine. The conflict between one - size - fits - all of mass produced medicine and the need for individual attention even permeates free market medicine. See the film.

Oleg's life as an emergency medical technician is fraught with trouble and tribulation; hostility to treatments, toxic complaining, serious threats and pointless, relentless stress. Such concerns merely involve Oleg's boss. Patients are trouble too. They include violent drunks, hypochondriacs, religious freaks who refuse treatment and more. Clueless administrators add counterproductive procedures, the menace of layoffs, humiliating assignments and the focus on profits over people. On top of this, Oleg tortures himself with serious bouts of drinking and depression. Of course, nothing in life is more important than your lover. Katya, Oleg's wife, is demanding a divorce for both real and imagined slights. It is hard to tell when Oleg is in or out of the ambulance. He faces key decisions about what or who is most important to him.

Arrhythmia provides a captivating glimpse into the ups and downs of being a Russian EMT. Hand-held cameras further emphasize the erratic nature of this work, and Oleg's relationships and inner turmoil. Scene settings are mostly inside the city, yet on at least one occasion a beautiful birch forest becomes the background. The actors are capable and believable. Arrhythmia is well organized and riveting. Seen at the Toronto International Film Festival.