Review of Red Flag (2013) by Eric H — 26 Mar 2014

Karpovsky seems to have no qualms about portraying himself as a total screw-up, a talented bullshitter who'd do anything to feel a little less fucked up inside, and can see the humor in his own misery.

Alex's misadventures are so absurd that you can't help but laugh at his self-induced suffering and hope he somehow finds his way. (One of my favorite scenes is when his mother calls him up at one of the many crappy hotels he crashes at and yells at him in Russian for being such a wuss.

"I would've dumped your father if he made me wait so long too!") It's Karpovsky's willingness to not paint himself as a sensitive genius, misunderstood by the world, that makes RED FLAG such a compelling and amusing film.