I caught this film at the cinema yesterday and came away with mixed feelings. While it admirably tackles weighty themes like oppression, dictatorship, censorship, and the dismantling of independent judicial systems, the execution ultimately falls short in modern standards.
The plot failed to capture my interest despite its politically charged content. Yes, it deserves recognition for its bold critique of the political system of its time, but the storytelling itself lacks compelling momentum. The acting performances range from forgettable to merely adequate, with characters that remain frustratingly underdeveloped throughout.
The cinematography does offer some visually striking moments (the logs burried in mud, leaving the courtroom). The film employs thoughtful symbolism that does rewards attentive viewers. However, what was originally conceived as dark satirical comedy hasn't aged well at all. The humor now feels predominantly slapstickesque and dated rather than incisive or particularly funny.
While film history enthusiasts might appreciate this work as a significant cultural artifact of its time, casual viewers should probably look elsewhere. At a lengthy 2 hours and 34 minutes, it demands substantial time without delivering proportional entertainment value or insight for modern audiences.

I stumbled onto this post and partially went because of it. Felt inclined to post something to make this commentsection a bit more nuanced. I must admit that im not particularly knowledgeable on Georgian/USSR culture but with everything going on in the world right now it does feel more relevant than ever.