Review of the neurodivergent dramedy "Philip's Rules"

Contents:

• What happens in the film
• Who created and directed it
• What's so captivating about this film

What happens in the film

Philip (Grigory Danishevsky) lives with his single mother Nina (Yulia Yablonskaya) in a small apartment where the daily routine and strict rules define his life. For Philip, following these rules is not only a habit, but also a necessity, ensuring his comfort and safety. However, as Hermione Granger noted, sometimes breaking the rules can bring joy and new experiences. Therefore, the protagonist from time to time allows himself to deviate from the established norms, discovering a world outside the usual comfort zone.

Philip occasionally finds himself alone on the streets and risks his safety using dangerous kitchen utensils. One day, he decides to steal a stuffed fox from a museum and is caught by the police. Now the family is under the close scrutiny of child protection authorities, who threaten to take her son to a specialized institution unless he passes a competency test and is under 24-hour supervision. Under stress, Philip's mother finds a caregiver named Marhamat. She came to Moscow from Tajikistan with hope for a new life and is now ready to help her family in a difficult situation.

Philip and Marhamat quickly find a common language, despite the apparent difference in their characters. The rule "opposites attract" clearly works in the world of Roman Kosov. Both heroes feel isolated from society, which does not accept them because of their non-compliance with unspoken norms. The girl strives to clarify her relationship with her relatives and determine her future in Russia. Meanwhile, Philip is pursuing his dream of becoming a professional barista, despite the skepticism of those around him, including his mother, child protection authorities, and even Marhamat, who initially doesn't support his aspirations. This path shows how important it is to follow your desires and believe in yourself, even when the world around you is not ready to accept your dreams.

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Who created and filmed it?

Director Roman Kosov is a graduate of the Higher Courses for Film and Television at VGIK. His mentor was the renowned Soviet and Russian filmmaker Alexander Proshkin, director of such films as "Cold Summer of '53" and "Dangerous Age." Proshkin also served as artistic director for Kosov's feature-length debut. Before "Philip's Rules," Roman Kosov directed the short film "The Portraitist," a fantasy drama about a self-taught artist. The premiere of this work took place in 2020, during the pandemic, when film festivals were held in a hybrid format.

The director did not immediately become part of the world of big cinema; his path began in the advertising industry. Kosov has created commercials for such renowned brands as Samsung, Leroy Merlin, Auchan, Tochka Bank, Citymobil, Zvuk, Avito, and others. This demonstrates a trend in the film industry where talented professionals, having started out creating commercials and music videos, are moving on to feature films. Directors such as Felix Umarov, who worked on "The Prophet: The Story of Alexander Pushkin," Lado Kvatania with "Execution," and Ilya Naishuller, known for his work on "Hardcore," have followed a similar career trajectory. These examples highlight the importance of advertising experience in shaping the style and skills of modern filmmakers.

The premiere of "Philip's Rules" took place at the 2024 Russian Film Festival "Window to Europe." Director Roman Kosov received a special prize from the "Commonwealth of Journalists" media congress for best screenplay. The script was developed by a team of writers including Anna Sobolevskaya, known for her work on the project "First Class," Nadezhda Goncharova, creator of the film "My Wild Friend," and Ekaterina Denisova, for whom "Philip's Rules" marked her screenwriting debut. The film attracted the attention of critics and audiences thanks to its original plot and high level of performances.

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What is so captivating about this film

"Philip's Rules" is a unique film in Russia that raises important issues of neurodivergence and the adaptation of people with special needs to challenging living conditions. In the global film industry, such stories are gaining popularity and winning awards. For example, the French film "1+1" starring Omar Sy, the festival hit "CODA: The Child of Deaf Parents," about a hearing child in a deaf family, and the Indian melodrama "My Name Is Khan," based on the true story of a Muslim man from India, are attracting audiences and box office revenue. In Russia, such films are extremely rare. Even when they appear, they typically remain on the festival circuit and fail to reach a wider audience. The film is distinguished by its simple visual design and lack of complex plot twists. The plot develops linearly, without delving into the characters' pasts, allowing the viewer to focus on their present. The spotlight falls on Philip, who is brilliantly played by Grigory Danishevsky.

Grigory Danishevsky is a talented young actor who, like his character, has neurodivergence. Interestingly, acting is not his main activity. People started talking about him four years ago, when the short film "Street Lighting" was presented at the Kinotavr festival in 2021. In this film, Grigory and Alexander Robak played the lead roles. Grigory's character was responsible for the street lighting: he would arrive at the power station in the evening to turn it on and turn it off at dawn. However, the naive protagonist was unaware that the station was actually automated. Critics praised the film and praised Danishevsky's talent, comparing his performance to that of the protagonist in Rain Man. In "Philip's Rules," Danishevsky reveals himself through his behavior, creating a vivid character. In the first half of the film, events center on him, and Philip becomes the center of the universe for those around him. The protagonist runs away from adults, including his mother and nurse, ignoring their advice, and engaging in mischief and mischief. However, in the second half, there is a pause when each character is given the opportunity to rethink their behavior and attitudes toward the world around them and their loved ones. This shift from chaos to reflection gives the film depth and makes us think about the importance of family ties and responsibility.

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Each of the characters—Philipp, Marhamat, and the young man's mother—experiences a significant transformation. Philipp comes to the realization that it's most important to listen to his own desires and feelings, rather than follow the advice of others. His mother learns to let go of her overprotectiveness and accepts that her son is "more normal than many others," allowing her to see him as an adult and independent person. Marhamat becomes more empathetic to her relatives, realizing that she misses them much more than she imagined. This dynamic of change adds depth to their relationship and emphasizes the importance of self-knowledge and family ties. The filmmakers avoid black-and-white divisions between "right" and "wrong," creating a more layered and profound experience. The film is virtually free of oppositions and ultimatums. The relationship between Philipp and Marhamat is characterized by warmth and trust, giving it an almost familial quality. This duet attracts maximum attention from the audience, while the mother's figure gradually fades into the background. Such nuances make the film especially attractive to the audience, allowing for a deeper understanding of the emotional connections between the characters.

The director skillfully controls Melodramatic tension, keeping it on the edge. In most similar stories, the filmmakers often resort to manipulation to elicit tears from the audience. However, in Roman Kosov's debut film, this does not happen. This is precisely what protects "Philip's Rules" from accusations of primitive exploitation of a neurodivergent person practically playing himself. Emotional fluctuations and a touch of sentimentality are certainly inevitable, but the film does not resemble a tailor-made public service announcement. "Philip's Rules" is a sincere and profound story that touches on important themes while maintaining artistic integrity and originality. "Philip's Rules" is a rare and successful example of how cinema can depict people with developmental disabilities without reducing them to these disabilities. The film demonstrates a respectful and sensitive attitude towards its characters, conveying human warmth and sincerity. The young debutant managed to capture important and vivid moments in the discussion of the "normality" of neurodivergent people. The truth lies on the border between the fabulous, the naive, the touching and the real, which makes the film significant in the context of modern cinema.