RATING★ 6.8
WORTH IT? MAYBE
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Expert Review & Ratings

See our full critical analysis and audience score for Doctor Lisa.

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WORTH WATCHING: MIXED
Editorial Verified

Is Doctor Lisa Worth Watching? Honest Movie Review & Audience Verdict (2020)

The film is about a day in the life of Elizaveta Petrovna Glinka, also known as Doctor Liza. Moscow, 2012. The Glinka family prepares for a celebration: thirty years together. The closest friends are invited for dinner, the sons have arrived. Of course, Liza has freed up this day for her family. There’s just a trifle: to stop by the Fund and see the weekly patients at the Paveletsky Station. But the days of Doctor Liza are always full of surprises… In a hospital in a Moscow suburb a five-year-old girl is dying. The duty doctor has to discharge Eva. Due to medical formalities the child, who suffers from cancer, is left without painkillers. In utter despair, the girl’s father turns to Liza for help. When Liza cannot find a way to help the child within the system, she decides on a desperate act…

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✨ The Quick Verdict

ONE-TIME WATCH

If you are a fan of Drama, History cinema, then Doctor Lisa offers a standard experience that justifies its existence in the 2020 landscape.

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👥 Target Audience

Fans of Drama films
Fans of History films

📔 Detailed Analysis

The Narrative Arc & Core Premise

Doctor Lisa, a standout production of 2020, meticulously weaves its narrative threads through the Drama, History landscape, offering a cinematic experience that is as challenging as it is rewarding. The primary thematic concern of the film is an investigation into The film is about a day in the life of Elizaveta Petrovna Glinka, also known as Doctor Liza. As the story unfolds, we are introduced to a world where the traditional boundaries of Drama, History 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: "The film is about a day in the life of Elizaveta Petrovna Glinka, also known as Doctor Liza. Moscow, 2012. The Glinka family prepares for a celebration: thirty years together. The closest friends are invited for dinner, the sons have arrived. Of course, Liza has freed up this day for her family. There’s just a trifle: to stop by the Fund and see the weekly patients at the Paveletsky Station. But the days of Doctor Liza are always full of surprises… In a hospital in a Moscow suburb a five-year-old girl is dying. The duty doctor has to discharge Eva. Due to medical formalities the child, who suffers from cancer, is left without painkillers. In utter despair, the girl’s father turns to Liza for help. When Liza cannot find a way to help the child within the system, she decides on a desperate act…"

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. While the script occasionally leans into familiar territory, the efforts of Chulpan Khamatova ensure that the emotional beats of Doctor Lisa always land with sufficient weight. Chulpan Khamatova provides a steady, reliable performance that anchors the film through its narrative shifts.

The direction by Oksana Karas 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 120 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 Doctor Lisa 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 Drama, History, then this is a highly recommended entry that delivers on its promises while offering a few surprises along the way.

The film's ability to perfectly execute its genre requirements is why it has earned its 6.8/10 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, Doctor Lisa explores the dichotomy of truth and perception. The 2020 audience is increasingly sophisticated, and Oksana Karas 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, Doctor Lisa serves as a reliable piece of entertainment that will satisfy core fans while providing a solid entry point for new viewers. Whether you are drawn to it by the star power of Chulpan Khamatova or the critical acclaim surrounding its release, Doctor Lisa is a film that demands to be seen on the largest screen possible.

Official movieMx Verdict: RECOMMENDED - QUALITY CINEMA

⏳ Time Investment

120MIN

At approximately 2.0 hours, the film requires a standard time commitment.

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