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Poster for Vodka Lemon

Vodka Lemon

2003 · 1h 27m · N/A Comedy, Drama, Romance
Directed by Hiner Saleem

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Overview

In a remote, isolated Yazidi Kurdish village in post-Soviet Armenia, Hamo, a widower with a pitiful pension and three worthless sons, travels daily to his wife's grave. There he meets the lovely Nina, who is communing with her late husband. The two are penniless--she works in a local bar that is about to close down, while he has been forced to start selling his meager possessions. All seems hopelessly bleak, yet when Hamo begins to court Nina, their unexpected love revitalizes them.

Director and cast

Critics on Rotten Tomatoes

Top critics, in their words

All reviews
93%
Tomatometer
Fresh

This is frostbitten Fellini -- a film that finds fresh beauty and contentment in the wake of centuries of conquering armies.

Ty Burr, Boston Globe
Fresh

Despite some banalities and Romen Avinian's slightly overdone Hamo, Vodka Lemon is a fresh breath of air, warmer than the icy village in which it takes place. You'll leave the theater with a wink and a smile.

Marta Barber, Miami Herald
Fresh

Objectively, it's a sad story of yearning and hardship, but it's structured and performed like a comedy. As life is.

Colin Covert, Minneapolis Star Tribune
Fresh

Director Hiner Saleem has created a magical movie that veers, even within scenes, from love story to tragedy to comic relief.

Jonathan Curiel, San Francisco Chronicle
Fresh

Manages to chill our bones while delighting that part of us that relishes absurdity.

Robert Denerstein, Denver Rocky Mountain News

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