Edward Snowden and Pussy Riot. Moscow, 1959. His refreshing understatement contrasts with the more self-consciously stylised leads, which appears to owe more to Sarifs direction than their interpretation of the characters. Ferguson, in a short blondish wig, plays the niece, too, a gambit that seems like it should mean something but doesnt. There is a suggestion of a romantic interest, but of course she has to be with Alex. Mark Harrison | The film is based on her book of the same name and plays outover two time periods. In cold war America, ambitious young Russian diplomat Sacha (Sam Reid) has arrived with a trade delegation, planning to defect but will his beautiful young wife Katya (Rebecca Ferguson) be able to escape with him? They won't be able to see your review if you only submit your rating. The very next scene, she goes right ahead and does what shes told. Also, communication with anyone else they are fighting with is so scant I did wonder at some point whether they were just being led on by a KGB hoping to dupe them into treason. You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times. She is now a spy working for the Americans, and the cell she belongs to has targeted Alexander Ivanov, a.k.a. Sharif is no stranger to adapting her own novels for the screen, via her production company Enlightenment Productions, and sadly, although Im not familiar with previous films such as The World Unseen and I Cant Think Straight, you wouldnt know it to look at this one. Rebecca Ferguson as a US spy is the only stand out in this confused Cold War drama. Viewers first encounter Denzel Washington's character as he's scrambling . Admittedly I had high hopes for Despite The Falling Snow, I imagined something reminiscent of The Debt (which I didnt like) or Sarahs Key (which I did). Her Lauren is less impressive, due to her affected American accent and being a generally less interesting character, but her performances generate some much needed heat here. Casting directors: Kelly Valentine Hendry, Victor Jenkins, Lina Todd, Sign up for THR news straight to your inbox every day. Found this on Netflix, primarily watched it because of Rebecca Ferguson and Charles Dance. In facthisdisengagement from the past ends up seeming like a complete disinterest in Katya altogether. As Lauren, shes perky and liberated and slightly bratty, especially when she comes on to a high-ranking Russian journalist (Antje Traue). Production designer: Mina Buric Menu Despite The Falling Snow (300) 5.8 1 h 33 min 2017 X-Ray PG-13 Moscow 1959: Katya is young, beautiful, and a spy for the Americans. Assuming an undercover identity is an integral part of Katyas profession, so it is not immediately clear that they are different people. The music was composed by Rachel Portman and the cinematography was by David Johnson. We believe in Truth & Movies. The 1992 present, in comparison to the past (but also compared to any other film), istwo-dimensional and kind of vacuous. If the movie had been called Casablanca or Notorious, its still doubtful that a lot ofpeople would want to see it. I guess I haven't met the right woman yet. Starring Rebecca Ferguson, Sam Reid, Charles Dance, Antje Traue, Oliver Jackson-Cohen, Thure Lindhardt and Anthony Head, the film was released in the United Kingdom on 15 April 2016.. The old Cold War meets the new Cold War. The most confounding failure of Despite the Falling Snow is how it portrays the central ambiguity of the love story. Directed by the author, the story features Katyaplayed by Rebecca Ferguson in the moviea female spy in Cold War Moscow who steals secrets for the Americans from an idealistic Russian politicianall the while falling in love with him. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, Review: Missing turns up more terrors in tech and true crime, Indie film is at a crossroads. Its an image that is somehow less crisp and clipped than the film its in, which is perhaps the main reason that she and the artwork are all that linger from this segmented and suspenseless romance. boral roof tiles bunnings; joe eastenders actor catchphrase; where the locals eat in savannah; brian marshall montgomery, al; camps for rent on lake catherine louisiana Overall, the 90s is not very good. Yet heres one case where the tone deaf-ness is far from incidental. It serves largely as a distraction, but even a decision this odd cant animate a movie this dull and inert. For into his life come two womenone . Costume designer: Momirka Bailovic Up to three inches of snow could fall in less than four hours. the Terms and Policies, and to receive email from Rotten Tomatoes. The movie has a surface similarity to Allied, last years Brad Pitt-Marion Cotillard World War II thriller, because its yet another story of an agent who marries one of the enemy to advance her cause. Theres also this part of you that wonders ifLauren isntAlex and Katyas daughter, which keeps your interest going for a while, until you realise she certainly isnt. Thecharacters have a depth and a warmth to them which although isnt completely engaging does at least make you interested in their ultimate fates. These days even the most amateur of filmmakers can make a small production budget work. In 1950s Moscow, communist Katya secretly spies for the Americans in the Cold War arms race. The most successful part of Despite The Falling Snow takes place in the past. As the present moves to Moscow journalist Marina does nothing to help matters. Your AMC Ticket Confirmation# can be found in your order confirmation email. Katya and Mishas personal relationship is more interesting. Katyas mission, however, becomes muddled when would you believe she falls in love with him. Are record snowstorms proof that global warming isn't . By what name was Despite the Falling Snow (2016) officially released in India in English? What did you think of it? Considering I was the first person to buy a ticket for it at my local cinema I predict that this will most likely go straight to DVD in other countries, but stay tuned to the release dates in case of any change. Adapted by writer-director Sharim Sharif from her own novel, this romantic thriller casts Ferguson as two women separated by time but connected by blood and a sequence of events that occurred in Moscow at the height of the Cold War. [2] The Boston Globe also praised the novel, citing the character of Katya as a highlight.[3]. Despite the Falling Snow is a 2004 book by Shamim Sarif. Executive producers: Ben White, Lisa Tchenguiz, Katherine Priestley Parents Guide. Rebecca Ferguson, Following on from Rebecca Fergusons last role as the sassy spy alongside Ethan Hunt, this should be mission possible. All Rights Reserved. You could argue that this deepens the central mystery, wondering how the characters changed so much over the years, except that this mystery is maddeningly obvious from quite early on, thanks to the deceptively convoluted structure. Whatever potential subtlety and complexity we are promised does not materialise only hammy airport-bestseller histrionics, and the whole movie sometimes seems submerged in a kind of cold-tea sepia look, appropriate to its historical background. You're almost there! Have you read the book? Unlock access to all of Film Inquiry`s great articles. In Cold War Moscow, a female spy steals secrets from an idealistic politician - and falls in love with him. Dont worry, it wont take long. The main draw of Despite The Falling Snow is a dual performance by Rebecca Ferguson, who shot this in between her Emmy-nominated work on The White Queen and her memorable breakthrough role in. LWLies Recommends. All Rights Reserved. The two meet and flirt at a party in 1959, but shes just playing along. New York, 1961. They were off-putting, and were perhaps an indicator of the surprises still to come. Urged on by her fellow spy Misha (Oliver Jackson-Cohen), himself Alexs best friend, Katya allows herself to be wooed by Alex despite his embrace of a government that persecuted her family. And be ourFacebook chum here. Seriously, anything! Katya is played by Rebecca Ferguson and played very well, her chemistry with Alex (played by Sam Reid) has potential, but you never really understand how she feels about him or what his reasons are for wanting her. Despite The Falling Snow is outin UK cinemas, with no current plans to release it in the US. With political tensions simmering, the snowy streets portraying life in 50s Soviet Union feel like a fitting allegory for the icy standoff between the two powerhouse countries. Alan Rickmans final screen outing is a textbook exercise in bringing modern warfare to the big screen. Plot. Read Next: Animation Directors Use Cutting-Edge Tech to Amplify Emotion. An off-the-chain Tom Cruise is the key and only asset in this fifth ride-along with the IMF crew. Though the film is filled with Russian characters, everyone speaks with a British accent. Its a confusing development which really could have been avoided. | 2023 Variety Media, LLC. Despite being with a lot of loose ends, 'Under the Skin' is the epitome of abstract filmmaking, so much so, that the abstraction itself is abstract and questionable. Despite the Falling Snow is an absorbing tale of family, the Cold War, and mostly true love. Privacy Policy The opening shot and subsequent prologue spell much of it out in the first ten minutes and the focus drifts right up until the unsatisfactory climax. The film is based on her book of the same name and plays out over two time periods. How about over dinner? . Coming Soon. This laboriously acted and directed spy tale-cum-love story is like a Jeffrey Archer airport novel with uninteresting, guessable revelations. When the preview of Despite The Falling Snow the film appeared on YouTube a song performed by Ella Henderson called "Now You Say You Love Me" featured prominently toward the end. The acting is very good as is the direction. Falling For Christmas Ending Explained (In Detail) By Jessica Smith Published Nov 14, 2022 Netflix has kicked off the Holiday season in true Hallmark fashion with Falling For Christmas, and the ending could leave space for a sequel. Please click the link below to receive your verification email. TAMING THE GARDEN: Bending the World To Your Whims, A SHORT STORY: Bi Gans Feline Fairy Tale, BABYLON: A Hardcore Hallucinatory Hollywood Epic, LADY CHATTERLEYS LOVER: A Pensively Romantic Adaptation, THE BOX: A Mistaken Identity Becomes A Rabbit Hole Of Corruption In Mexico, WHO KILLED SANTA: A MURDERVILLE MYSTERY: The Holidays Are For Hilarity, AVATAR: THE WAY OF WATER: Camerons Triumphant Return To Pandora, Originality: Reboots, Sequels & How They Affect Modern Film. Even at 93 minutes, Despite The Falling Snow feels less like an adaptation than a mood reel for the source material, giving a prcis of the story rather than a whole experience. Twitter feed for faster news and bad jokes right here, Nat Geo WILDs Critter Fixers Dispel Myths About Country Vets, Doctor Sleep: Rebecca Ferguson on Becoming the New Shining Villain, Heat, Empire Records, and the Best Movies Free on Plex in January, The Best Jeff Beck Side Project Tracks and Deep Cuts, Every Marvel Movie and TV Show Coming in 2023. Then, suddenly, she loves him. It is like Jeffrey Archer with a twist. Then shes touched by his ideological idealism, though shes still not in love with him (and why would she be remotely sympathetic to his belief in a regime thats still rigid in its brutality?). Yet it certainly shows off what a versatile actress Ferguson is. Combining cutting-edge design, illustration and journalism, weve been described as being at the vanguard of the independent publishing movement. Our reviews feature a unique tripartite ranking system that captures the different aspects of the movie-going experience. Although it's been 2 and a half years since I read this, I still remember it quite vividly and positively despite my . But a lot of this might be due to Sharifs creation of the character and her direction ofFerguson. Also, whenneither ofthe time periods isthe one were living in, as a viewer we have a lot more to understand. "Despite the Falling Snow" is a phrase that barely sticks in the mind for the time it takes to read it; given that the movie wants to be a Cold War romantic espionage thriller, you can imagine a. Distributor: CARU Pictures Haruto continues to struggle finding an answer and purpose to his life, but vows to remember Misaki's memory every spring just like the fallen petals. In Moscow in 1959, Katya pursues rising Soviet politician Alexander (Sam Reid) at the encouragement of their friend Misha (Oliver Jackson-Cohen) so that she can share his secrets with the Americans. Director Shamim Sarif Writer Shamim Sarif (written for the screen by) Stars Rebecca Ferguson Sam Reid Charles Dance See production, box office & company info Watch on Freevee Watch Free on Freevee More watch options Warner Bros. When she begins spying on Alexander, an idealistic Communist politician, the last thing she expects is to fall in love with him. The film is set in the post-Stalinist Soviet Union. The romantic relationship between Lauren and Marina is pretty poor too. After an early career amongst the political elite of Cold War Russia, Alexander Ivanov has lived in America for forty years and has managed to bury the tragic memories surrounding his charismatic late wife, Katya or so he believes. Its a formula not to be sniffed at he has sold over 300 million books during his 50 year career. This California farm kingdom holds a key, Six people, including mother and baby, killed in Tulare County; drug cartel suspected, Im afraid for her life: Riverside CC womens coach harassed after Title IX suit, New Bay Area maps show hidden flood risk from sea level rise and groundwater, These are the 101 best restaurants in Los Angeles, Jeremy Renner is out of the hospital and watching himself on TV at home with family, The Goonies house will soon become a fan haven, thanks to a Kansas businessman, Channing Tatum plans to remake Ghost and take on the Patrick Swayze role himself, Munich, Lincoln, The Fabelmans look for DP Janusz Kamiski on a Spielberg set, These difficult actors said RRR couldnt be done. The novels journey back to the snowbound streets of post-Stalinist Moscow reveals a precarious, dangerous world of secrets and treachery. Rebecca Ferguson (currently onscreen in Life) plays the artist, Lauren, who in 1991 leaves New York for a Moscow gallery show. Fortunately, he. 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