The Elder Son (4 Stars)

This is a beautiful family drama about a Russian family living in Los Angeles. Rade Serbedzija plays Max, a clarinet player who has been fired from his orchester because of his drinking. His 14-year-old son Nikita (Reiley McClendon) is madly in love with the 31-year-old English teacher who lives next door. His 18-year-old daughter Lolita (Leelee Sobieski) is dating a pilot that she doesn't love just to escape from the poverty and cramped living conditions.

Their life is changed when a car thief on the run from the police enters their lives. Bo, played by Shane West, convinces Max that he is his long lost elder son and is accepted into the family. What starts as a scam develops into something deeper as Bo develops a love for his "father" and a fascination with Russian culture. But then things grow complicated when he falls in love with his "sister".

This is a simple little comedy with a predictable ending, but what makes it good is the quality of the acting. Rade Serbedzija is a veteran actor of great quality, and Leelee Sobieski lifts whatever role she plays to the level of genius.