Tak005

The story is clearly a remake of a piece of Russian history. Which is not an issue for the film and not the reason I have given it a low score.

This film was made and produced in Australia but it does not have the essence of an Australia movie. The viewer is not really told where the story takes place. Most of the lead actors are either British or American. Many of the Australian actors speak with fake American accents.

This film was made at a time when that Australian industry appeared ashamed of its roots, and to have any chance of being seen overseas it had to have known foreign actors in lead roles. The industry seemed to have no faith in local talent.

I have given this film a low score for it's surrendering to overseas pressure.

This is a wonderfully acted drama set in the high class area of Belgravia. It is well acted with some very well known actors. The script is brilliant and you put it all together and it is a great show. However, when you take a step back..it really is is a flash version of EastEnders. There are so many similarities between the two. The exception being that one is set in the working class of class of contemporary East end London and the other 19th century wealthy West end. It is also plainly obvious that Belgravia attempts to be an urban version of Downton Abbey. Whilst well acted it is nothing more than a soap opera.

I entered into this film believing that it was a comedy or dark comedy. It soon became clear that it plainly isn't. A drama may have moments of levity but it still is a drama. It does not become a dark comedy because of those moments. Even the musical score is not uplifting.

This is an interesting and unique story. The acting of Christopher Walken, Jason Bateman and Nicole Kidman is great. The script is also well written. The cinematography is average but that is if little importance as the story is the primary source of entertainment.

The reason this film scores so badly is that it is presented as a comedy, when it clearly is a drama. Your expectations of the type of film you want to watch are dashed and you are disappointed. Had this movie been promoted as a drama and I watched it on that basis it would have received a higher score.