Who is this Aleksandr Buravsky who gets all those wonderful actors to work for him?? And not only in this one, also in a couple of other of his ill-conceived movies. The story here starts out quite promising and soon collapses. The characters are not likable, except for tragic Deborah, the historical errors are many, some situations laughable. And I was looking forward to seeing Keith Carradine in a leading role, after how long....Just wasted my time. Why are there so many bad movies lately which dabble in the Holocaust instead of using history's lessons wisely and weave them into a good story??? There are hundreds of good true stories out there - why don't scriptwriters and directors pick them up and use them???
11 Reviews
A beautiful, well-made film
belochka11 November 1999
My name is Irina Ginzburg and I'm professor emeritus at the Undergraduate Department of Film and TV at Queens College. In September I had the great privilege of seeing "Out of the Cold", directed by Sasha Buravsky, at the Montreal Film Festival. All I can say is that it is one of the best, most beautifully realized motion pictures I have seen in a long, long while. The writing, production design, costumes and music are fist rate. But what truly stands out is Sasha Buravsky's masterful direction. A veteran Russian playwright, Mr. Buravsky was able to convey a heartbreaking feel of awe and dread, and using his august sets and the atmosphere of the world gone wrong, he fused art and commerce in such deft, delicate way that all I can say is
"Go west, young man! You'll have a great career in Hollywood!"
Good story, TERRIBLE FILM MAKING
kemamusa1 October 2002
Even the wonderful little story couldn't save this terrible mess of a film. It's as if the director wanted this film to be a B movie. It's got all the formulaic features of a great straight-to-video B movie: Choppy editing with cheesy music thrown in here and there. Actors sitting in a bright and evenly lit rooms spitting out not-so-clever one liners. And most of all, a street savvy yet sleazy male lead.
I don't understand why the director wanted the main character to be portrayed as a cocky and selfish little bum. He's so unlikable that you never understand why his love interest spend her life away to wait for him.
If I have to come up with one reason to watch this film, I'd say, watch it for Mia Kirshner.
I don't understand why the director wanted the main character to be portrayed as a cocky and selfish little bum. He's so unlikable that you never understand why his love interest spend her life away to wait for him.
If I have to come up with one reason to watch this film, I'd say, watch it for Mia Kirshner.
Not bad
mm-3922 September 2004
Warning: Spoilers
Spoilers My wife is sick over my holidays, and I found a movie I though she would like. Keith has found some work, welcome back. The story is not that bad, and picks up in the second half. Alright acted. I personally found the scenes with the Soviet realistic. Most be a lot of memories for the producers of this film. My wife was glued for the second half of this movie. Not a bad film worth renting. I would give this film a 7 out of 10.
A romance type film, more geared for my wife. The part with the records is the best. My wife thought the one part where the lead character cuts his leg off is unbelievable. The guy would have bled too death. Communism did not look like a lot fun watching this film.
A romance type film, more geared for my wife. The part with the records is the best. My wife thought the one part where the lead character cuts his leg off is unbelievable. The guy would have bled too death. Communism did not look like a lot fun watching this film.
horrible, horrible, horrible
savitri18 October 2004
I must admit this - the movie is beautifully made and the chosen locations look really wonderful. That's all. The story is ridiculous and cheap, rather 'soapy'. But what angered me the most was changing the facts. At that time Estonia had already been annexed to SU and Konstantin Päts was no longer a president (because that guy in the car couldn't have been Vares-Barbarus). The tricolor flags were no longer in use. The German army came only later, during the war. etc, etc, etc People might say that this movie at least lets the world know about Estonia, but I don't really see the need for telling pseudo historic lies. Estonia's real history is so much more exciting and touching than that, and as for soapy stories, well, you can fit them in practically anywhere. I gave it 1, but I could have given it a -1 if it had been possible.
Historical mistakes
denesk25 January 2003
Although it was rather good film and I had an opportunity to play a role of political prisoner, who is sent to Siberia, it had some historical mistakes. The events take place in 1939-40, the SS woman to whom another viewer refers is absurd. There were no Germans in Estonia at that time. Estonia was liberated from Soviet occupation in July 1941, when first German troops arrived.
This may seem only a minor detail, but if you are making a historical drama, then do pay attention to all details and historical background.
This may seem only a minor detail, but if you are making a historical drama, then do pay attention to all details and historical background.
A sweeping epic in the style of Reds and Enemy at the Gate.
gmalav587726 August 2001
After I saw this movie I thought it was good for a number of reasons. As a World War II buff I was interested in the war aspect. It was enlightening to see the viciousness of the Russians portrayed during and after the second world war. I got a kick out of Keith Karradine sticking the hand of the sultry female SS agent down his trousers. All to prove if he was circumcised or not. It also reminded me of the Richard Burton film, The Spy Who Came In From The Cold as the post war scenes were similar. Women will find the romance angle of the movie just as interesting as I found the war part. Great cast and terrific production values.
a charming little sleeper
rwlangbauer28 January 2003
I must admit, I would willing watch Mia Kirshner read the phone book. This movie is MUCH better than that. Sad, poignent it is a faithful retelling of some of the worst humanity has to offer. As I have told both my nieces -- Rent it! Sit down and watch with your boyfriend! If he doesn't start crying at the last scene, kick him in th nuts & leave!
No-one is perfect
EstoLeo15 April 2001
I think this is an OK film. Americans really don`t know much about Estonia or even worse - absolutly nothing. Even the step-dancer in the film said "Estonia - where ever that is". But this film has a greater idea - to tell the world that we are here! Estonia has had had a tought history. About a thousand years ago we lived here near The Baltic sea, Estonians were great sailors. Then the germans came and after a great war, we were put into slavery. 700 years later we were occupied by russians. And in 1918, when there was a revolution in russia, we became independent. but not just so easly - after a great war, The War of Independence. Then we lived happily for only twenty years. Then came the time this movie talks about. The russians just occupied us. And about 40% of our people were sent to Siberia or killed. We were occupied until the Soviet union fell in 1991. The historic background of this movie is absolutly correct. The American actors are nothing special, never heard of them. but there are the best Estoinan actors acting in this movie. Sorry, that in such a small parts. They should have been given bigger parts, all the Estonians in the movie should have been Estonians. And if the script would have been also more Estonian-like, this movie would have been perfect.
an ill-conceived mess
ARI-2611 September 1999
a really terrible film that goes nowhere quickly. Though it's nice to see Keith Carradine in a starring role (when was the last time that happened?), the film is truly misconceived in everyway. The only question is: why did so many "name" actors choose to be in this film. The story is idiotic at best - an Estonian Jewish tap dancer in the 30's whose career on Broadway has dried up goes back to his family's country, Estonia, to perform in a nightclub owned by Judd Hirsch. He falls in love with a girl (played by the wonderful Mia Kirschner) and falls into trouble with the Nazis. As a period piece goes the film is a clumsy mix of attempted humor and drama that isn't dramatic. Our tap dancer hero is completely unlikeable and his motivations don't make much sense. That's all well and good, but the film itself doesn't make much of an impression. What were they thinking?
The real details in the probably fictitious story
mda13 February 2003
I was impressed how the screenplay of probably fictitious story can be full of really true details of war and Soviet camps. Lots of people lost everything in wars. And all people always should remember it. This movie reminds me "Enemy at the gates".
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