Is Against All the Rules Worth Watching? Honest Movie Review & Audience Verdict (2017)

The Narrative Arc & Core Premise

Against All the Rules, a standout production of 2017, meticulously weaves its narrative threads through the Comedy, Crime landscape, offering a cinematic experience that is as challenging as it is rewarding. The primary thematic concern of the film is an investigation into Colonel Koloda, recruited by foreign intelligence, stole secret documents of national importance. As the story unfolds, we are introduced to a world where the traditional boundaries of Comedy, Crime are tested.

The screenplay takes its time to establish the stakes, ensuring that every character motivation is grounded in a psychological reality. The synopsis only hints at the depth: "Colonel Koloda, recruited by foreign intelligence, stole secret documents of national importance. In fact, the documents are fake, disinformation for foreign intelligence agencies. The surveillance of the traitor leads the operatives to the bank, where he leaves the documents in the cell number 69. To establish who will come for them, Captain Alexey Vereshchagin comes to the bank under the guise of a client. Ironically, it is this bank that Mikhail Druskin, a desperate candidate of sciences and single father, wants to rob. When he sees the police, he takes the bank's visitors hostage in fright."

Artistic Execution & Performance Study

A film's resonance is often dictated by the strength of its execution, both in front of and behind the camera. Aleksey Makarov does an admirable job with the material provided, but one can't help but feel that a more daring directorial approach would have yielded a more impactful result. It is a competent but ultimately standard genre performance.

The direction by the visionary director is marked by a steady and professional hand. From a production standpoint, the film meets the high standards of modern industrial filmmaking. The sets are well-crafted, and the visual effects are integrated with a level of polish that ensures the viewer matches the director's intended level of immersion. While perhaps not groundbreaking, the execution is flawless. The pacing, over its 88 minute runtime, allows the audience to fully inhabit the space the director has created, making the eventual resolution feel deeply earned.

Critical Assessment: Why You Should Watch

Is Against All the Rules truly worth your investment of time and attention? In an era of disposable content, this film makes a strong case for its existence. If you are a connoisseur of Comedy, Crime, then this is a worthwhile watch if you have a specific interest in the themes or the performers involved.

The film's ability to perfectly execute its genre requirements is why it has earned its 0/10 score. It speaks to a global audience while maintaining a distinct and unique voice, a balance that is notoriously difficult to achieve in the modern marketplace.

Philosophical Subtext & Directorial Vision

At a deeper level, Against All the Rules explores the dichotomy of truth and perception. The 2017 audience is increasingly sophisticated, and the visionary director respects this by refusing to provide easy answers to the story's complex questions.

The philosophical underpinnings of the second and third acts suggest a narrative that is interested in more than just entertainment. It is an exploration of what it means to be human in an increasingly complex world.

Final Editorial Recommendation

Ultimately, Against All the Rules is an interesting experiment that, while flawed, offers enough moments of creative spark to be worth a casual glance for the curious. Whether you are drawn to it by the star power of Aleksey Makarov or the critical acclaim surrounding its release, Against All the Rules is a film that demands to be seen on the largest screen possible.