Despite the Falling Snow

This movie has a lush, romanticized wartime feel. But I wish that it hadn't started in present day though, because in doing so, it diminished some of the intensity and intrigue around the past story.

"Despite the Falling Snow" from 2016 is a well-produced film with very good music and a good cast, including Rebecca Ferguson in a dual role as Lauren and her Aunt Katya.

The story is told in flashback. Lauren, an excellent artist, has been invited to show in the new Russia. She intends to go, despite her Uncle Alexander's (Charles Dance) protests.

Lauren knows she bears a strong resemblance to Alexander's wife, Katya, whom he left behind in Russia - unwillingly. She wants to know what happened to her aunt.

Alexander, Katya, and Mischa (Anthony Head) were all spies in the Soviet Union in the 1960s. Katya meets Sasha at a cocktail party. She is encouraged by her handler, Mischa (Oliver Jackson-Cohen), to cultivate Sasha.

While she pretends to be an avowed Communist, Katya hates the Communists for killing her parents and is spying for the U. S. Mischa believes that Sasha will have some good information for her to pass along.

However, Katya falls in love with Sasha and marries him - not what Misha had planned! Does as told. But, what starts as espionage ends in Katya falling hard for the personable and handsome Misha, as he also loves her, and marrying him, much to Misha's dismay. Complications arise.

I found this story slow, and I also realized immediately it wasn't filmed in Russia, and that no one involved with the production knew much about Russia. First of all, it's quite cold there. These people are walking around with woolen coats, scarves jauntily around their necks, and little wool hats. And the clothes were wrong. Not believable.

There was a complaint that the Russians spoke with British accents. I have a question - did you expect them to speak English with a Russian accent? How about that they're speaking Russian, and a British accent, used in Chekov and many other Russian stories, is completely appropriate.

The film moved slowly. The acting was good. I just couldn't get swept up in the story.

I am surprised this film has an average rating since the acting is great. Rebecca Ferguson is her beautiful talented self again and her versatility is once again displayed. Sharif did a great job casting and directing her as lead. I want to thank Shamim for the little but breathtaking scenes between Rebecca and Antje it was fireworks. I mean who can resist such striking blue eyes. I would've liked more scenes between them because their characters are not as developed although understandably so of course. I like films about war and I am a sucker for romance so I get two things I like in one film. Antje's eyes will get her anywhere and of course her talent and if you're a fan of Rebecca and Sharif then you have to see this film. Loved it so much.

In the film's early sixties beginning, Sasha (Sam Reid) is defecting to the US in a harrowing chase to the safe car. Once inside, his joy turns to anguish as he receives terrible news of others. Flashing forward to just after the fall of the Soviet Union, an older Sasha (Charles Dance) , now a successful American businessman, doesn't like that his niece, Lauren (Rebecca Ferguson) is having a showing of her wonderful artwork in the new Russia. She is also determined to find out some secrets about her family. Now, suddenly, we are back in Communist Russia where beautiful Katya (also Rebecca Ferguson) is casting eyes on the young Sasha, short for Alexander. At a cocktail party, the lovely school principal is meeting the handsome aid to a high ranking Soviet official. But, all is not as it seems. Katya's parents were murdered under Stalin and she was left an orphan. Although she appears to be a true believer, she is secretly transferring Soviet secrets to the Americans, for she hates the communists. In this, her friend and mentor, Misha (Oliver Jackson Cohen) has suggested she "get close" to Sasha for he will have a bounty of secrets on his watch. So, Katya does as told. But, what starts as espionage ends in Katya falling hard for the personable and handsome Misha, as he also loves her, and marrying him, much to Misha's dismay. Now, lives are in danger and defection may be the only option. How will it end? Then, too, will Lauren discover these happenings as well? This fine film has sumptuous visuals of Moscow amid the snow and a great cast. Add on wonderful costumes, an intriguing, time-hopping story and a polished direction and here is a film many refined movie fans will love. Are you one of these?

Found this on Netflix, primarily watched it because of Rebecca Ferguson and Charles Dance. The movie is best described as a quite sedate Cold war espionage / love story in the 60's and the current time and about as far removed from James Bond as possible. The acting is very good as is the direction. Very glad I saw it.