Spinning Boris (2003)

Russian political elite hires American consultants to help with President Yeltsin's re-election campaign when his approval rating is down to single digits.

Director:

Roger Spottiswoode

Writers:

Yuri Zeltser, Grace Cary Bickley (as Cary Bickley)

Stars:

Jeff Goldblum, Anthony LaPaglia, Liev Schreiber

1 win & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Jeff Goldblum	...	George Gorton
Anthony LaPaglia	...	Dick Dresner
Liev Schreiber	...	Joe Shumate
Boris Lee Krutonog	...	Felix Braynin (as Boris Krutonog)
Svetlana Efremova	...	Tatiana Dyachenko
Shauna MacDonald	...	Lisa
Gregory Hlady	...	Andrei Lugov
Vladimir Radian	...	Vasso
Ilia Volok	...	Elvis Impersonator
Konstantin Kazakov	...	Oleg Soskovets
Judah Katz	...	Michael Kramer
Maria Syrgiannis	...	Female Journalist
Ola Sturik	...	Post Office Clerk
Gillian Vanderburgh	...	Dick Dresner's Wife
Serge Timokhin	...	Hotel Desk Clerk

Storyline

Early in 1996, three Republican campaign operatives take a job in secret assisting Boris Yeltsin's reelection. Once in Moscow, they find he's polling at 6 percent with the election a few months away. While Dick Dresner wants to go home, George Gorton and Joe Shumate vote to stay. First, they must get someone's attention; they succeed finally with Yeltsin's daughter. Then it's polling, focus groups, messages and spin. Even as Yeltsin's numbers go up, the trio are unsure who hired them and whether Yeltsin's allies have a different plan in mind than election victory. When the going gets toughest, it's Gorton who puts a spin on our stake: democracy and capitalism must win.

---

Plot Keywords:

year 1996 | post soviet russia | election | president | kleptocracy | 

---

Taglines:

Electing a Russian president the American way.

---

Genres:

Comedy | Drama

---

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language

Did You Know?

Trivia

Not portrayed in the film is Steven Moore who, at 27 years old, was the junior member of the team who stayed in Moscow during the entire campaign. Much of the script was drafted using the daily memos that Moore wrote to keep the traveling senior consultants informed of developments on the campaign.

---

Goofs

Half way the film, the three protagonists are discussing Tatiana inside Lenin's Mausoleum at the Red Square. It is however strictly forbidden to stand still and speak inside the mausoleum.

---

Quotes

Joe Shumate: I know what you're thinking.
George Gorton: Do you? Then you're about to go f**k yourself.

User Reviews

BRILLIANT SATIRE

Caught "Spinning Boris" at a preview screening -- and... WOW... This is the best, funniest, sharpest, and meanest movie I've seen in a long time... well, since "Wag the Dog". It also brings to mind "Network" and "Dr. Strangelove" - yes, it's THAT good. The cast is top-notch -- Goldblum, LaPaglia, Shrieber, as three American political consultants in Russia -- create amazing chemistry. Three musketeers, three stooges, three blind mice, three charismatic, brilliant, but incredibly self-involved and self-serving individuals. The script is pure perfection -- witty and clever beyond belief, suspenseful, complex and very, very dark. The director is Roger Spottiswoode (yes, Bond... James Bond) -- here working in a completely different genre... and succeeding on all levels. The film is a 10, to be sure, but it's more than that. A not-to-be-missed movie event. (I understand it was produced by Showtime and will premier on cable. Here's to hoping they promote the hell out of it.) Can't wait to see it again.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

23 October 2003 (USA)

Also Known As:

Spinning Boris

Filming Locations:

Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

Company Credits

Production Co:

Licht/Mueller Film Corporation, Showtime Networks

Technical Specs

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1