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This probably won't be the last time you will read me talking about this film since I pretty much can't praise it enough. I'd go as far as saying that it was better than any 2007 movie I have seen so far (and I saw quite a bunch of them). It was terrific, mesmerizing, gripping and just plain brilliant. It's a travesty that The Counterfeiters won the Best Foreign POicture Oscar over this film, though I understand why it happened. To be able to really appreciate this film, it's of great benefit if you know something about Russian culture and the conditions that reign in Russia nowadays. I used to live there for a while and many of my relatives are still there. It was also beneficial that I was able to see this film in its original, Russian version, knowing the language (though without practice my Russian starts getting a bit rusty).

So what's the deal with it? 12 is the Russian remake of Sidney Lumet's 12 Angry Men. However, it just takes the basic plot of 12 jurors deciding the fate of a seemingly guilty murderer and one juror objecting to the decision of the others. How the rest of the story unfolds, though and the things it touches upon...that's an entirely new spin given to the movie by director Nikita Mikhalkov. The movie became a very Russian one as the jury consists of 12 very different characters, from different ethnic and historical background representing different sectors of Russia's fragmented society nowadays. There's a corrupt cemetary manager, a racist taxi driver, a Caucasian doctor, a former alcoholic who became rich, a musician and others.

Obviously, most of you can get the idea how the whole thing ends, but what is so remarkable is the way it gets there. It expands upon the stories of all 12 jurors, each having a touch of its own, each pointing ot many flaws in today's Russia. Some are humorous, others are truly sad and some are just profound and remarkable. The remake greatly expanded on the original's plot, yet the 159-minutes running time flies by very quickly. As each of the jurors changes his opinion one-by-one he tells a story from his life. It's these stories that are the film's strongest asset, not their actual decisions or persuasion tactics.

But not only does this film have a sharp, poignant screenplay, Mikhalkov also delivers the goods with the way the film was shot. The cinematography is aces here. Sometimes maybe trying even too hard to show off, but overall excellent. The score is remarkable. However, the film's biggest strength by far lies in its terrific cast ensemble. I can't really say who of the 12 main cast members is the best since all of them are just outstanding and it's their interactions that make the film work. It's one of the best cast ensemble works I have seen in several years, to be honest.

The only small issue I hadwith this film was its very ending. I can't tell anything without spoiling it, but suffice to say that they went a little over the top with this. Didnd't bother me much, though, it was just a footnote anyway. The greatness of the film was in getting there in first place. Its themes of modern day corruption, criminality, racism and hatred in Russia are very important and are greatly elaborated upon without shoving any ideology in your face really. This movie is a masterpiece, nothing less can I say of it. If any of you somehow gets a chance to see it, go for it.

Double post, sorry

Lecter, I just can't believe you liked that illogical piece of shit so much. Mikhalkov tricked you!
The ending is terrible. Mikhalkov's overacting is terrible. Overall logic is not there. In my list that's one of the worst movies of 2007.

Lect, I can't say I'm quite as enthused about this film as you, but I am pretty close. It is a marvellous piece of film, and honestly, it speaks to the early quality of this still young year that it is currently #3 on my "best of 2009" list. (behind Coraline and Watchmen.) The movie is excellent and direction is something to be marvelled at but the adapted screenplay is far to blunt and obvious, and despite its' many interesting insights gets rather bogged down sometimes. Plus the movie is longer than necessary. still it is fantastic. Anyway, I should stop talking, as I will touch on all of this in a full review soon.