Mom for Hire

Little Sonia's mother abandoned her family in the hope of a better life in America. The girl is surrounded by the love of her father and grandmother, but no one can replace her mother, whom she longs for. Sonia's father, disappointed in women after his wife's deed, does not share his daughter's enthusiasm, but in order to make her part with her dream, decides to make a small deception. Being a trucker, the girl's father finds himself in a third-rate cafe on the highway, where the rude and ugly barmaid Tamara works, and persuades her to live a little in his house and play the role of a future stepmother, so that Sonia forever lost the desire to find a new mother. Having settled Tamara at home, the father of the family goes on another voyage, hoping that on his return the problem will be solved. But it is not so easy to deprive the child of his dreams. Sonia decides that Tamara is simply bewitched, and if you remove the spell from her, she will turn into a kind and beautiful mother.

Directed by Nikolay Mikhaylov, Mom for Hire leans on a strong ensemble — Ilya Shakunov, Elena Panova, Larysa Kadochnykova — to carry a story that balances spectacle with character.

The film landed with audiences for its craft and performances, and remains one of the most talked-about comedy titles of 2010.