A fun, accessible, airy documentary that speaks about cultural differences between America and our Russian friends filtered through a piece of Americana.
"Raymond" is about the quest of Russianizing "Everybody Loves Raymond" for show creator Phil Rosenthal. "Raymond," of course, was wildly successful in America, and the studio hopes to cash in on the Russian market with the series. So Rosenthal travels to Moscow to spark up a Russian version of the series (apparently this has been happening for years, with adaptations of "Married ... with Children" and "The Nanny" have been wildly successful.
Rosenthal is not prepared for the cultural differences in the collective Russian sense of humor, which is largely broad and slapstick when it comes to TV. Most everyone from the producers to the head of the costume department fail to grasp "Raymond's" everyday, slice-of-life humor surrounding the vagaries of marriage and family.
When Rosenthal arrives in Moscow, he finds things aren't as easy as unplugging the American actors and plugging in Russian ones. He meets resistance at every turn with everyone saying the same thing: This isn't funny. How is two people arguing over whether the top is popped on the orange juice funny?
So Rosenthal, more than ever, has to sell his vision to the producers, to the studios, to the actors, all of whom are more than skeptical about the show's chances for success.
Thrust into a strange land to which his American sensibilities are unaccustomed, Rosenthal finds himself completely out of his element. He bristles when he hears that he should buy "K&R" insurance; "K&R" stands for "kidnap and ransom." When he's reassured that "it never happens," he shoots back that it happens enough to have an abbreviation. It's that kind of fish-out-of-water discomfort that gives "Exporting" its charm.
We also meet a variety of characters, from the studio's humorless head of comedy to Rosenthal's assigned bodyguard, with whom Rosenthal strikes up a friendship. When Rosenthal leaves the country, then returns, he finds himself with a new bodyguard. His old one claims he can't be his bodyguard because he's going to be in the hospital having tests done on his heart. Someone later claims he's merely going on vacation, but Rosenthal can't help but feel rejected, like he's being ditched by a friend.
But when the show, changed to "Everybody Loves Kostya," finally begins production, Rosenthal's fears are confirmed; the show is not funny, made by filmmakers and actors who don't get the comedy.
"Exporting" offers a nice look into the television production process, is witty and fun, and provides an interesting look into the cultural differences between America and our Russian cousins.
Extras include a fun feature that allows you to compare the Russian and American versions of the show, a commentary by Rosenthal, deleted scenes and the film's trailer.
Film: 4 Yaps Extras: 4 Yaps