Barbara Montgomery

When a Russian musician defects in New York, he finds adjusting to his new life in America more difficult than he could have imagined.

Moscow Circus saxophone player Vladimir Ivanoff (Robin Williams) defects in Bloomingdale's while on tour in New York City. Befriended and temporarily housed by security guard Lionel Witherspoon (Cleavant Derricks), Vladimir experiences many misadventures -- and a longing for his family. But his loneliness is soon lifted by lovely Lucia (Maria Conchita Alonso). Paul Mazursky directs this Golden Globe-nominated comedy.

Robin Williams portrays a Russian musician who defects in Bloomingdales, beginning the bumpy road to his American dream.

Robin Williams portrays a Russian musician who defects in Bloomingdales, beginning the bumpy road to his American dream.

When a Russian musician defects in New York, he finds adjusting to his new life in America more difficult than he could have imagined.

Robin Williams will make you laugh and cry as a freedom-loving Soviet defector in this brilliant, thought-provoking romantic comedy. Circus saxophonist Vladimir Ivanoff (Williams) suddenly defects from his touring troupe in that temple of Western decadence - Bloomingdale's. Fleeing the K.G.B., Vladimir wins asylum and moves into the crowded Harlem flat of black security guard Lionel Witherspoon (Cleavant Derricks). Soon he has found both a voluptuous Italian lover Lucia Lombardo (Maria ConchitaAlonso), and a shrewd Cuban lawyer Orlando Ramirez (Alejandro Rey). Though Vladimir learns that life in America can be cold and even painful, he grows to love this strange and wondrous new land. Director Paul Mazursky has truly transformed Vladimir's declaration of independence into a very memorable film.