The Russian Bride

"The Russian Bride" is an interesting film with riveting performances by the principals, namely, Lia Williams, Sheila Hancock and Douglas Hodge. Hancock, as the crazed and domineering mother of the mail-order bride's hapless husband, is outstanding. The story is good, too. Of course it ought to be good because it is a scene-by-scene, uncredited, ripoff of Emile Zola's novel, "Therese Raquin," which has been filmed at least a half-dozen times with due credit to the author. The characters' names, the era and locale are changed in "The Russian Bride," but otherwise it's the same. I can't believe some guy is credited as "writer." I gave this film 3 stars; I would have given it 7 stars if it had just credited the actual writer.

"The Russian Bride" is a rather intriguing tale of murder, deceit, and adultery. The film focuses on the interactions of a middle-aged man and his mail-order bride, mother, and untrustworthy friend. One may expect fine performances from the British cast. It is truly an intense drama ! Lia Williams plays the Russian mail-order bride, Natasha Cherniavskaya. Williams' Russian accent is believable, and projects much emotion. Jason Watkins assumes the role of Christopher Rattle, a middle-aged man whose desperation in a companion is made evident. Christopher cannot live without his mother's irritating presence, and his asexual nature results in an exasperated Natasha. Eddie Brennan plays a casual friend of the family, and contributes a sense of chaos and disorder in Christopher's household. Dora (Sheila Hancock) is Christopher's domineering mother and can be viewed as one of the film's numerous antagonists. This film noir is filled with much negative emotion and deserves a patient viewing. Enjoy and endure this brilliant masterpiece.