The Saratov Approach

First of all, before I get attacked for this review, I want it known that I am LDS. That said, I'm not the type of LDS blindly submissive follower, I'm of the free-thinking variety and as such, this is not a critique of the story or religion. as a person who studied film production in a major university, however, I must say this is one of the most poorly made films I have ever seen in a very long time.

The story is fine, if you can get past the mostly-awful acting, intrusive music, continuously shaky camera work - obviously in competition for the largest number of nauseated viewers since 99's 'The Blair Witch Project' and quite a bit of filler involving 1990's basketball references and ineffective waiting family scenes, you might actually enjoy it.

The film has its moments, two exactly, but the other 100 minutes are not worth watching for those brief moments of redemption. Had this film been made another way, it could have really been something, the basic story is good, the script, screenplay and film production isn't up to par, even considering other low-budget films.

Personally, I wish I would have just bought a ticket to see 'Saving Mr. Banks' or 'The Secret Life of Walter Mitty' again.

So my husband picked out the movie this night. He mostly likes movies that "Are real". This movie is based on a true situation that did occur with some Mormon Missionaries. So guess what? It's going to be about 1) Mormons 2) Religious faith 3) Religious faith during times of intense trouble. Most people cannot deal with this subject matter in a mature or objective way anymore, preferring instead to be titillated by the glut of porn, violence, horror, and Computer Animated silliness.

I found this film a refreshing break from the endless morass of film mediocrity. An interesting story told without gratuitous sex, endless F-Bombs, or piles of oozing intestines falling out on the floor - imagine that?

Be highly aware that the positive reviews written here are driven by the religion of the writers.

The score is truly appalling, ill-fitted to the context, almost constant throughout the film and extremely irritating.

The narrative is cardboard cut-out in it's execution and as convincing in it's delivery as the fable that the founder of the Latter Day Saint movement, Joseph Smith, was directed to golden plates buried near his home by an angel. (Oh, and the angel repossessed the plates before they ever saw the light of day - convenient eh?).

If you want to watch a couple of preppies handcuffed to a radiator for 90 minutes, be my guest.

A couple of passing Mormon Elders steered me to this film and I have to say it was not a bad choice. Filmed in both Salt Lake City and Kiev, The Saratov Approach is about two Mormon Elders on their mission in the Russian city of Saratov who are kidnapped by a pair of would be criminals and the LDS church itself given a ransom notice.

As a tenet of the faith these young men and occasionally women do go on these two year missions to spread the faith. In that time if one is converted by them it's gravy. The meat and potatoes is to spread good will for the Church of Latter Day Saints. So Elders Propst and Tuttle are doing just that in the Russian they've learned in preparation for this assignment.

Corbin Allred and MacLain Nelson do a good job in roles they are clearly too old for. Missionaries are usually 18 to 25 and the real Propst and Tuttle are identified as 23 and 20 in an article I read on the case. All the Mormon Elders I've ever encountered were about that age and the most recent two who recommended this film looked barely out of high school. In fact had they gotten two who looked like them to play Propst and Tuttle the film would have been better because the vulnerability would have increased exponentially.

Alex Veadov and champion skater Nikita Bogolyubov play the kidnappers. Veadov is a Russian navy veteran and Bogolyubov just a follower in over his head. On certain levels the Elders do bond with the kidnappers, but it's hardly a Patty Hearst situation.

The Saratov Approach is a nice film that would have been better with different casting of the Elders. It's also a commercial for the LDS church, but that's to be expected.

And this review is dedicated to those passing Mormon Elders Reed and Hamilton both from rural parts of Utah who recommended The Saratov Approach as good material to review.

Alright I watched the whole thing but not from love for the movie or a curiosity to know the climax (which is very predictable) but just because I liked the music score and I found the acting decent. Also because I had some time to kill.

The storyline is of two Christian missionaries being kidnapped for ransom and the ordeal they have to go through. Sounds like a Good tale right? NO, the problems come from them repeatedly giving their thoughts on Christianity and Jesus almost every time they talk (other than the bit where they talk about the NBA). Towards the end, the preaching started to grate on my nerves and also the other scenes where their families were being shown.

In short, if you are Christian and believe that the Christ is your savior and died for your sins, then go ahead and watch it. Others, just stay away. The 4 in my rating is for the music score and I quite liked the Russians.