Edit
Storyline
An expatriate Russian dancer is on a plane forced to land on Soviet territory. He is taken to an apartment in which a black American who has married a Russian woman lives with her. He is to become a dancer for the Bolshoi again, but he wishes to escape, but can he trust the American? Written by
John Vogel <jlvogel@comcast.net>
Plot Summary
|
Add Synopsis
Edit
Did You Know?
Trivia
The opening theatre sequence was filmed at the Bristol Hippodrome and the gentleman paging the curtain for Baryshnikov is John Randall (sadly now deceased) who was the Theatre's technical director at the time.
See more »
Goofs
When the plane crashes the food cart defies the law of physics. The food cart should gone forward not backwards.
See more »
Quotes
Captain Kirigin:
Colonel, there's something I think you should hear
Colonel Chaiko:
[
beat]
Later. I'm busy.
Captain Kirigin:
But sir ...
Colonel Chaiko:
[
raising his voice]
Captain Kirigin, can't you see I'm busy?
Captain Kirigin:
[
smiles knowingly at Raymond]
Very well, Colonel.
[
beat]
Captain Kirigin:
Later.
See more »
Soundtracks
"Prove Me Wrong"
Written and Produced by
David Pack and
James Newton Howard
Performed by
David Pack
Courtesy of Warner Bros. Records
See more »
The basic plot of this movie - the predicament of a Russian defector suddenly finding himself back in his Motherland after the airplane in which he is travelling crash-lands - is a compelling one, and I can't help feeling that had a little more thought and care gone into the character of the three main protagonists this movie would have been a whole lot better than it actually is.
The performances by the international cast are excellent throughout, especially Baryshnikov, whose character is the main focus of the story, as well as the catalyst for self-analysis among those he left behind and those he encounters on his forced return. Jerzy Skolimowski, the Polish director, is also worthy of mention in a rare acting role as a KGB Agent.
So: good plot, good acting. And great dancing - even if you're not a fan, you're likely to enjoy Baryshnikov and Hines doing their thing. On the downside, the reasons for Gregory Hines defection from the USA to the Soviet Union (disclosed while holding an American football - the film's symbolism lacks subtlety at times), are shaky and under-developed to say the least, and his character comes across as too apathetic too have made such a dramatic gesture in the first place. Isabella Rossellini (a ringer for her mother) is woefully underused and is prevented from adding much of worth to the movie.
Well worth seeing, then; but the sense of how great it could have been may undermine your enjoyment a little.