Now, if you think I’m soft just because I like this film, I will have terminate your existence. I like my moody, bloodshed, allegorical and films about the metaphysical, the psychological and so on. Sometimes, however, I secretly like films which contain a touch of romance and tragedy. My Sassy Girl is perhaps one of the few romantic comedies I absolutely adore (even if in real life the guy didn’t get the girl); so it’s with a certain pleasure and respect for A Driver for Vera that I’ve add it to those few romantic films that I love.

What’s most confusing about this film is that it is it is set in Russia in 1962; but this isn’t he Russia I know, and perhaps not the one you know. Unless of course the Russia you know is full of stunning green fields with blossoming flowers, vast mountainous areas, and extraordinarily exquisite weather as far as the eye can see. The Russia in this film resembles the environment of a Mediterranean country rather than the bitterly cold, misery we’re so used to seeing on the screens and reading in books.

This is, however, the Russia for this film, and it is absolutely gorgeous. No doubt thanks to some man in a purple skirt, long sleeves and a pointy hat who has waved his wand to turn the ugly duckling in the the sublime swan the viewer sees. In English I mean computer wizardry – do you see now? With the Wizard and everything? The cinematography is superb through and through, with carefully directed moments which accentuate emotion such as tragedy, regret as well as happiness. Passion flows through the camera, and out of the screen as you become a witness to the events that unfold on screen. It is as stunning as it is horrific.

It’s very understandable as to why this is the official selection from the Ukraine as its film for the Best Foreign Language film for the Academy Awards 2005. Quite a mouthful, but I’m sure you’ve managed more than this. In any case, the story is both simple and complicated. The simple tale is that General Serov (Bogdan Stupka) asks for a cadet to be a driver for his daughter, Vera (Yelena Babenko). In doing so he is also canvassing the said driver as a possible suitor for his daughter, who is physically disabled, pregnant and not altogether an easy person to get on with. She seems mentally dysfunctional to the point of psychosis, but this is merely a woman craving for some stability and sanity in her life. Being an invalid, she is aware that there are not men lined up outside to marry her; as is her father.

Her life seems limited to smoking cigarettes, aware that she is pregnant, and remaining drunk. Even the driver, Victor, is stunned at her disability, to whom he has been paying compliments of beauty on the way. He doesn’t even witness her entering the car, when they first meet, and no doubt this adds to his shock when he discovers she walks with a strange, lop-sided manner.

At the same time, the General is being hounded by officials about an incident that took place five years ago in which many men were lost. On top that, it seems the officials require a scapegoat, and it looks to be the General; who has secret documents that may expose the truth about something being kept hidden about the incident. Within the ranks, there is a KGB spy and perhaps amongst his home too. With servants and deputies, it’s perhaps difficult to not to trust anyone, in order to believe that these are the people who circle round your daughter all day.

So it is, that Victor is hired and he attempts to pursue a relationship with Vera, by endearing her to himself. Of course, three is the magic number, and Lida (brilliantly played by the not bad looking Yekaterina Yudina), a servant as is Victor, tries to use her sexual charms to persuade Victor to bed her instead of trying it on with Vera, whom she calls lame (as in pathetic or feeble, just as you geeks interchange lame and ‘tard).

It seems transparent that Lida herself is smitten by Victor’s charms, and she makes no bones (no pun intended whatsoever, your honour) about showing cleavage, bending her backside over that little bit extra to ensure those corners are thoroughly reached. She is a seductive, manipulative woman – and in terms of beauty leagues ahead of Vera. But it is the honest and troubled Vera that Victor wants more than anything. He’s not immune to the possibility that Lida may in fact be as flexible as a bull whip, however, he gradually falls for our lucky invalid in more ways than one.

Amongst these plots, and subplots is yet another subplot of the General’s Deputy, Saveliev (Andrei Panin), instructing Victor to recall and write everything that is said by everyone. A covert operation if you will, and in that list is also the General; there are no exceptions. This disturbs Victor, and yet he carries out his orders, unaware that his love for Vera is growing, and that the spite within Lida at being discarded as second best is growing in tandem. What all this means, I will leave up you as you watch. It’s intriguing, it’s a little obvious at times, but there’s plenty of distractions to misdirect.

Vera herself is not an easy person to woo over it seems, and Victor fails at more than one attempt, even with the General’s blessing that this servant may mix with his daughter. He has own concerns as it is, and he sees the good within Victor that may at least bring some happiness and hope into his daughter’s wretched life as it is now. Bogdan superbly plays both the vehement and rebellious General, as well as the caring and loving father.

A Driver for Vera is perfectly paced, allowing the characters to develop, for mistakes to happen and consequences to take place. Everyone is brilliant in their performance, from the cook and nurse to Vera and Victor. The bad look menacing, and not the type you’d ask to bring flowers round to your girlfriend’s (or boyfriend’s, or “it’s” – I don’t discriminate you know) place; unless you wish to deliver the flowers with a bullet in the forehead for valentines day.

The script is excellent, and moves along steadily, there are some bumps on the way, such as may be the moderately rushed development between Vera and Victor, but these are minor grips. The ending is excellent, if tragic, and defies the typical “happy end” to a romantic relationship. If this is your idea of romantic, you’re probably better off in the army lopping someone’s head off. I enjoyed watching Victor’s persistent pursuit of Vera, and her rebuttal as well berating of him in front of others. She treats him as a servant, shaming him as nothing more than tool. Yet he persists, perhaps even knowing the consequence of never actually achieving her trust, or realising that perhaps he can love her, but could never marry her in reality. The idea of a servant marrying General’s daughter and bringing up a bastard as his own, is perhaps too much to bare for him.

Saveliev’s character is that of a sleazy, slimy bastard that will do whatever it takes to get where he wants. You’re not quite sure of his loyalties, however, as he seems to help often more than he is a suspect. He assists in producing the relationship between Vera and Victor, as well as befriending Victor. There is a bond between the two, but this sometimes turns sour, and you can almost sense that Victor is perhaps pushing the boundaries of how far he can go against Saveliev’s orders.

Now you might be thinking that it doesn’t sound all that romantic. You’re right, and I did lie at the start a little; A Driver for Vera contains a main story of love, that is true, but the bigger story is that of conspiracy, betrayal and lies. Part thriller, part romance, but wonderfully blended together into a touching and thoughtful drama revolving around two lives that are both lonely and desolate without each other. It does falter at times, but all of that is washed way by superb acting that would put most of Hollywood to shame.

I was particularly touched between the drinking talk between the General and Victor as they exchange stories of sadness and loss in their life; it is both funny and moving simultaneously. A tear did not roll down my eye, nor did I shed any, but it doesn’t mean I wasn’t overwhelmed at times at how tragic these lives become. The partially unexpected ending is a difficult one to comprehend, as you watch the slightly ambiguous final scenes as to what will happen once the credits roll. You become involved and concerned for the characters; and you even feel for Vera, who you absolutely loathe with her self pity and arrogance at letting someone into her life, having been betrayed by a man out of her own stupidity.

Driving for Vera is not the best film ever made, and I am not saying it will be for everyone, but it’s definitely one of the better films I have seen in recent years. It strikes a delicate balance between several genres, while keeping the viewer engrossed and attached to the screen. It’s a quality film, with a solid cast, great acting, an enjoyable script and beautiful imagery. This film will also not appeal to those of a cynical, negative nature – so please leave your cynicism behind should you choose to watch it. Buy it, enjoy it, then tell your friends about it (at least those that don’t think Van Damme is the greatest actor alive).

Verdict: A treasure of a film, directed with elegance and charm with a script to match, and acting performances as the icing on the cake