The titular event takes place early in the story, which leaves the remaining government officials in a frantic struggle for power. While there are moments of the evil that pervaded the USSR at that time, most of the narrative gets its thrust from the mean-spirited dark humor that writer/director Armando Iannucci does so well (he created VEEP). The cast has a great time conniving and conspiring against each other, while fighting to secure their place in the new regime. The spirited satire provides intellectual laffs, even though the comic momentum slows before it’s over. Still, it’s witty and entertaining in an art house way.

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