| Overall Grade: |
B |
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| Story: |
C+ |
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| Acting: |
A- |
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| Direction: |
A- |
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|
| Visuals: |
A |
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|
Flawed story with great acting and directing
by greyzone (movies profile)
Dec 23, 2007
14
of
15 people found this review helpful
First of all thumbs up to Viggo Mortensen for outstanding acting! Take it from the native speaker, he perfected his Russian to amazing levels! (Especially when you compare it with other actors). Now on the movie - unexpectedly captivating thriller. I was expecting something typical "ex Soviet mafia" stereotyped flick, but found a good mafia movie and directing without many clichés.
The story was almost perfect with some exceptions which ridiculed the movie. Since there were only a few mishaps, I liked the movie overall. But, they left an after taste!
For instance... yea I get it 100 year old Russians would like to hear some ethnic music on their b-day, but singing by such ridiculously "gay" looking performer? He looked like a clown (in a mafia restaurant which talks about despising gays every 10 minutes or so)!
Now, why would police get blood from the mafia boss to match DNA with his illegitimate just borne daughter and do not protect the baby? So the story is a bit raw at a time , but over all good.
Anyway … wait for a sequel. Could be a good one. |
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