A Foreign Affair

I am a big fan of Tim Blake Nelson, and he did not disappoint in this film about a real "mail order bride" service called "A Foreign Affair". In fact, the filmmakers distributed a copy of the catalog this company puts out. Otherwise, this might seem like a fabrication, I suppose. The film was about two mama's boys (actually mama favored the younger boy) whose mama dies and leaves them helpless and unable to take care of themselves. The older one (Nelson) decides they need a wife (singular...sort of a reverse polygamy), and goes to the library to check out the mail order bride industry. (Allyce Beasley has a funny cameo as the librarian). Then he drags his reluctant brother off to Russia in search of a wife for both of them. Several of the company's real life clients appear in the film, interestingly enough. I enjoyed it immensely, and I hope this somehow finds its way into theaters.

This indie arrived without any warning. On the basis of the three principals, we decided to take a look at it. Directed with care by Helmut Schleppi, this is an endearing comedy about how love surprises even the most skeptical types in the wrong places.

If you haven't seen the film, please stop reading now.

Josh and Jake live in the family farm. Their mother seems to dote on Jake, the good for nothing brother that is totally helpless in practical matters. When the mother dies suddenly, Jake realizes a woman is needed in the ranch to help the brothers cope with the household chores. Josh is useless; since he was a "mamma's boy", he is not expected to do anything.

In learning about the possibility of "importing" a bride, Jake decides to take Josh to Russia and marry him off to a woman that would like to emigrate to the United States and help around the farm. Well, Jake is for a rude awakening! Josh suddenly awakens when he has to select a woman among the gorgeous candidates; he discovers sex and fun with the women that are looking for some pampering. Josh ends up spending his money in a radical make over at his brother's expense.

The brothers meet a young woman, who at first they think is another of the women wanting to emigrate. Angela is making a documentary about the phenomenon and ends up translating for the brothers.

Tim Blake Nelson is perfect as Jake, the good brother. He is one of the kindest souls ever seen in the movies. David Arquette is also good as the confused Josh. Emily Mortimer, as Angela, makes a great appearance.

The film is sweet, without being sugary. It will not disappoint.

My wife, Ekaterina, and I met each other in Saint Petersburg, Russia on a tour sponsored by A Foreign Affair, the company that was involved in making this film. The film depicts with accuracy many of the experiences that we went through when we met. I am excited that the film was produced, because it will help people understand what awesome opportunities tours like these offer to people to meet each other. The film is an intelligent, romantic comedy that equals "A Greek Wedding" and "Monsoon Wedding" in portraying family values and relationships. Arquette, Blake Nelson, and Mortimer do wonderful jobs portraying their characters. The film also shows that Saint Petersburg is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. I highly recommend it and sincerely hope that it becomes successful and popular.

It's always nice to see a unique story. The aren't many negative reviews of this flick, and they certainly aren't deserved. While the story explores a real part of present day life - internet bride hunting - it manages to bring humanity and subtle but solid humor to the story.

The film neither justifies or explains the social phenomenon, and it doesn't have to. It does portray very realistically the lives of the characters caught in their circumstances. The acting, cinematography and direction are all great. The writing is great: a simple story (with a few fun twists) mated to complex character development. This movie is very entertaining. Certainly the producers, director and writer are all worth watching for.

Two momma's boys searching for a mail order Russian bride not for love or sex but to replace their dead mother as a housekeeper on their isolated southwestern farm, Tim Blake Nelson and David Arquette, go to Russia on a romance tour organized by a company (that really exists) called A Foreign Affair. The portrayal of the romance tour/Russian bride business is satirical, very funny but not unkind, but the real interest of the movie lies in the story of the two brothers discovering their true (and different) selves. The movie features a luminous performance by Emily Mortimer as a documentary filming British journalist who speaks fluent Russian and who encounters Blake Nelson in the course of the trip to St. Petersburg. The movie makes miraculous use of its limited budget and has numerous witty touches.