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.

I accept that I am not among the sophisticati who live and breathe movies and contribute frequently to IMDB. But as a U.S. diplomat I served at the U.S. Embassy in communist Budapest Hungary in the Cold War 1970's. Much that was depicted in this movie ran true back then -- dilapitated decaying wall-peeling apartnents and buildings versus relatively elegant government buildings, bugging of even private apartments, etc. etc. Much was the same in Moscow too. I write rarely on IMDB and only when some movie especially intrigues me. This one did. No grotesque slasher torture-, gun- or hyper-violence here, no f-words. Rather, intelligent dialogues, gorgeous repeat gorgeous cinenatography, delicate music and I venture director's and financial backers' love for this movie's concept make this movie a true work of ART. I am glad it came to be nade.

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?

When you're cooking and you use ingredients that are 4/10 in quality/freshness, make a 4/10 recipe and put 4/10 effort to details, temperature, timing, etc, you get something that is at best 4/10. You don't need to ask the taster "How would you rate this?" because as a chef, what do you expect?

This is not a commentary on the mediocre Russian cuisine using Soviet era ingredients, but is this production company under embargo or something that they have to do with rations? Could they not have a better script?

Oh wait, the director decided to write her own script, not ask anyone for assistance, and direct everything herself. If your script is good, find a good director to make it. If you're a good director, find a good script to make into film. Very, very few people can do both. The problem is many, many people think they can.

The problem is that a weak director could ruin their own top-notch self- written script with mediocre direction. And a poor self-written script could ruin a great director's film by not getting any scrutiny or passing any filters from idea to finished film.

Let's talk positives first. The soundtrack: 10/10. This is perhaps the best score I've ever heard in my life.

Rebecca Ferguson is one of the most beautiful women to grace the screen and she's exceptionally talented, but eye-candy and great soundtrack do not a great film make.

The other actors were good for what it's worth.

The script, the story, the dialogues, the whole thing is a huge let down. I was looking forward to this film and I can't recommend it to anyone.

It's just not worth watching.

Buy the soundtrack though.

This film tells the story of three soviet spies, who smuggle secrets out to the Americans. They have a complicated love triangle, which is further complicated by one of them defecting to America.

It tells a story that spans two generations and two countries, involving love, idealism, regret, healing and many life and death decisions. The story is not strictly chronological, as it reveals bits of the story when appropriate, creating suspense and making me look forward to see how the plot will unfold. It is a story that tells how tragic societal circumstances tear lives apart, and its effects ripple across time and space. I certainly did not expect "Despite the Falling Snow" to be so gripping and so touching.