This movie has a lush, romanticized wartime feel. But I wish that it hadn't started in present day though, because in doing so, it diminished some of the intensity and intrigue around the past story.
42 Reviews
Pretty cinematography
abbybakersfield3 February 2020
Lovely
venisefillies6 June 2016
I am surprised this film has an average rating since the acting is great. Rebecca Ferguson is her beautiful talented self again and her versatility is once again displayed. Sharif did a great job casting and directing her as lead. I want to thank Shamim for the little but breathtaking scenes between Rebecca and Antje it was fireworks. I mean who can resist such striking blue eyes. I would've liked more scenes between them because their characters are not as developed although understandably so of course. I like films about war and I am a sucker for romance so I get two things I like in one film. Antje's eyes will get her anywhere and of course her talent and if you're a fan of Rebecca and Sharif then you have to see this film. Loved it so much.
Beautiful production values, but a disappointment nevertheless
blanche-222 November 2021
"Despite the Falling Snow" from 2016 is a well-produced film with very good music and a good cast, including Rebecca Ferguson in a dual role as Lauren and her Aunt Katya.
The story is told in flashback. Lauren, an excellent artist, has been invited to show in the new Russia. She intends to go, despite her Uncle Alexander's (Charles Dance) protests. Lauren knows she bears a strong resemblance to Alexander's wife, Katya, whom he left behind in Russia - unwillingly. She wants to know what happened to her aunt.
Alexander, Katya, and Mischa (Anthony Head) were all spies in the Soviet Union in the 1960s. Katya meets Sasha at a cocktail party. She is encouraged by her handler, Mischa (Oliver Jackson-Cohen), to cultivate Sasha. While she pretends to be an avowed Communist, Katya hates the Communists for killing her parents and is spying for the U. S. Mischa believes that Sasha will have some good information for her to pass along.
However, Katya falls in love with Sasha and marries him - not what Masha had planned! Does as told. But, what starts as espionage ends in Katya falling hard for the personable and handsome Misha, as he also loves her, and marrying him, much to Misha's dismay. Complications arise.
I found this story slow, and I also realized immediately it wasn't filmed in Russia, and that no one involved with the production knew much about Russia. First of all, it's quite cold there. These people are walking around with woolen coats, scarves jauntily around their necks, and little wool hats. And the clothes were wrong. Not believable.
There was a complaint that the Russians spoke with British accents. I have a question - did you expect them to speak English with a Russian accent? How about that they're speaking Russian, and a British accent, used in Chekov and many other Russian stories, is completely appropriate.
The film moved slowly. The acting was good. I just couldn't get swept up in the story.
The story is told in flashback. Lauren, an excellent artist, has been invited to show in the new Russia. She intends to go, despite her Uncle Alexander's (Charles Dance) protests. Lauren knows she bears a strong resemblance to Alexander's wife, Katya, whom he left behind in Russia - unwillingly. She wants to know what happened to her aunt.
Alexander, Katya, and Mischa (Anthony Head) were all spies in the Soviet Union in the 1960s. Katya meets Sasha at a cocktail party. She is encouraged by her handler, Mischa (Oliver Jackson-Cohen), to cultivate Sasha. While she pretends to be an avowed Communist, Katya hates the Communists for killing her parents and is spying for the U. S. Mischa believes that Sasha will have some good information for her to pass along.
However, Katya falls in love with Sasha and marries him - not what Masha had planned! Does as told. But, what starts as espionage ends in Katya falling hard for the personable and handsome Misha, as he also loves her, and marrying him, much to Misha's dismay. Complications arise.
I found this story slow, and I also realized immediately it wasn't filmed in Russia, and that no one involved with the production knew much about Russia. First of all, it's quite cold there. These people are walking around with woolen coats, scarves jauntily around their necks, and little wool hats. And the clothes were wrong. Not believable.
There was a complaint that the Russians spoke with British accents. I have a question - did you expect them to speak English with a Russian accent? How about that they're speaking Russian, and a British accent, used in Chekov and many other Russian stories, is completely appropriate.
The film moved slowly. The acting was good. I just couldn't get swept up in the story.
An unexpected surprise
Gordon-1129 May 2016
This film tells the story of three soviet spies, who smuggle secrets out to the Americans. They have a complicated love triangle, which is further complicated by one of them defecting to America.
It tells a story that spans two generations and two countries, involving love, idealism, regret, healing and many life and death decisions. The story is not strictly chronological, as it reveals bits of the story when appropriate, creating suspense and making me look forward to see how the plot will unfold. It is a story that tells how tragic societal circumstances tear lives apart, and its effects ripple across time and space. I certainly did not expect "Despite the Falling Snow" to be so gripping and so touching.
It tells a story that spans two generations and two countries, involving love, idealism, regret, healing and many life and death decisions. The story is not strictly chronological, as it reveals bits of the story when appropriate, creating suspense and making me look forward to see how the plot will unfold. It is a story that tells how tragic societal circumstances tear lives apart, and its effects ripple across time and space. I certainly did not expect "Despite the Falling Snow" to be so gripping and so touching.
Totally undervalued
eurom447 October 2019
Half-decent lost love story set in the USSR
ian-warncken8 October 2018
Just watched this movie having previously read the plot online and been semi-excited to watch it. On the whole however I have to say I was left a little bit disappointed.
I've always been fascinated by life in the Soviet Union both during and after WWII and both during the Stalin and post-Stalin worlds, so anything set then is of interest to me.
Things I struggled with however were in the 90's part of the film, who Rebecca Ferguson was playing (I have since gather it's the main character's niece, but as you never see his sister this didn't make much sense) and secondly the lesbian-love angle between the niece the and journalist seems very unlikely to me to be credible. That in particular seemed more of an attempt to place modern values upon the past which is never something I am keen on in a movie.
The plot itself jumps around a bit through the timelines but you can kind of follow it and the ending I thought made the whole thing semi-worthwhile. It's just the middle section of the movie I thought was a bit weak.
On the whole though I think it's worth a watch, but wasn't one where I would ever be likely to want to watch it again.
I've always been fascinated by life in the Soviet Union both during and after WWII and both during the Stalin and post-Stalin worlds, so anything set then is of interest to me.
Things I struggled with however were in the 90's part of the film, who Rebecca Ferguson was playing (I have since gather it's the main character's niece, but as you never see his sister this didn't make much sense) and secondly the lesbian-love angle between the niece the and journalist seems very unlikely to me to be credible. That in particular seemed more of an attempt to place modern values upon the past which is never something I am keen on in a movie.
The plot itself jumps around a bit through the timelines but you can kind of follow it and the ending I thought made the whole thing semi-worthwhile. It's just the middle section of the movie I thought was a bit weak.
On the whole though I think it's worth a watch, but wasn't one where I would ever be likely to want to watch it again.
A spy story as if written by a romance novelist.
ikanboy2 December 2019
Slow and tedious with little action the director/writer (always a big mistake) drags us through an uninteresting story about Russians (speaking in upper class English accents) who don't act like Russians, spying for no apparent high minded reason, and eventually being betrayed, except for one grand sacrifice.
Ok movie
ingamazonaite20 August 2021
Movie its ok. Not wonderful as could have been.
In the movie you can really see, that movie director has no idea how Russia was these days.
So many incorrect details- for example groom waiting for bride. In Russia it's totaly different- groom and bride goes together in the room.
There are no chairs in ceremony room, only table.
People are standing during whole ceremony. There is no kissing bride moment.
Aldo in these times children of dissidents were sent to special orphanage and then sent to hard labour camps.
There were no chance, that Katya would be working in school as administrator and be dressed like that.
In the movie you can really see, that movie director has no idea how Russia was these days.
So many incorrect details- for example groom waiting for bride. In Russia it's totaly different- groom and bride goes together in the room.
There are no chairs in ceremony room, only table.
People are standing during whole ceremony. There is no kissing bride moment.
Aldo in these times children of dissidents were sent to special orphanage and then sent to hard labour camps.
There were no chance, that Katya would be working in school as administrator and be dressed like that.
A Cold War era film with Cold War spectacles/retrovision
charmaments25 January 2017
Now that the Iron Curtain has collapsed and we have access to not only to modern Russia and former Soviet and Bloc countries, but we can now uncover stuff that took place in all those years without any restrictions. Historians even have access to restricted stuff as governments have made a lot of it public.
This film looks like an 80's film that imagines how things were like in the Soviet Union. There are many things about it that show a Western Cold War perspective of life in the Soviet Union, as well as politics and such. It is not well researched, if at all. The same director has a story about two women in a relationship in the apartheid era and another film about a Muslim woman who cancels her wedding because she's in love with another woman. These are her three feature films. I haven't seen the other two, but seeing how clichéd and un-researched Despite the Falling Snow is, I doubt that she spent a lot of time researching Islamic society or apartheid South Africa.
I say "director" when people expect me to say writer, but Sarif is the writer for all her films. This lack of outside input doesn't help.
So many directors spend endless hours researching life in their own country in the 90's and 80's, times when they were around. They put the time and effort to research the language, clothing, technology, etc. This film doesn't waste any time on that. "It's just in the Soviet Union, accept it. It's not accurate, move on. Just look at Ferguson. Isn't she pretty?"
If some actors are type-cast, then Samim is type-directing. Cheesy love story, history as a back drop rather than a setting, very beautiful actresses to distract from the plot. In almost every film that's what people talk about, good and bad reviews, how beautiful the actresses are.
Most people that watch films want a bit more than eye candy.
This film looks like an 80's film that imagines how things were like in the Soviet Union. There are many things about it that show a Western Cold War perspective of life in the Soviet Union, as well as politics and such. It is not well researched, if at all. The same director has a story about two women in a relationship in the apartheid era and another film about a Muslim woman who cancels her wedding because she's in love with another woman. These are her three feature films. I haven't seen the other two, but seeing how clichéd and un-researched Despite the Falling Snow is, I doubt that she spent a lot of time researching Islamic society or apartheid South Africa.
I say "director" when people expect me to say writer, but Sarif is the writer for all her films. This lack of outside input doesn't help.
So many directors spend endless hours researching life in their own country in the 90's and 80's, times when they were around. They put the time and effort to research the language, clothing, technology, etc. This film doesn't waste any time on that. "It's just in the Soviet Union, accept it. It's not accurate, move on. Just look at Ferguson. Isn't she pretty?"
If some actors are type-cast, then Samim is type-directing. Cheesy love story, history as a back drop rather than a setting, very beautiful actresses to distract from the plot. In almost every film that's what people talk about, good and bad reviews, how beautiful the actresses are.
Most people that watch films want a bit more than eye candy.
I found it very moving.
Sergiodave25 August 2021
Found this on Netflix, primarily watched it because of Rebecca Ferguson and Charles Dance. The movie is best described as a quite sedate Cold war espionage / love story in the 60's and the current time and about as far removed from James Bond as possible. The acting is very good as is the direction. Very glad I saw it.
Another example of "branchy cranberry plant"
marnik-6150526 February 2020
The expression "branchy cranberry" like in "having a nap under a branchy cranberry-plant" is the one used to describe stereotyped Russian things. Fiddler music at a house party in Moscow in 1959, seriously?! "Can I get you a drink?" - this is a Russian party, this is not an American bar, nobody would word it like this! Katya's parents - "dissidents"? The term "dissident' was used in the Soviet Union after Stalin's death (1953), NOT in the 40-s when Katya was 11 - nobody would refer to the victims of Stalin's repressions as dissidents. And the list goes on and on and on. Always makes me wonder why film-makes ignore 'small things' - it is small things that create authenticity - or not.
A work of art!
dtlongo9 September 2018
I accept that I am not among the sophisticati who live and breathe movies and contribute frequently to IMDB. But as a U.S. diplomat I served at the U.S. Embassy in communist Budapest Hungary in the Cold War 1970's. Much that was depicted in this movie ran true back then -- dilapitated decaying wall-peeling apartnents and buildings versus relatively elegant government buildings, bugging of even private apartments, etc. etc. Much was the same in Moscow too. I write rarely on IMDB and only when some movie especially intrigues me. This one did. No grotesque slasher torture-, gun- or hyper-violence here, no f-words. Rather, intelligent dialogues, gorgeous repeat gorgeous cinenatography, delicate music and I venture director's and financial backers' love for this movie's concept make this movie a true work of ART. I am glad it came to be nade.
Not bad, though it's mostly not a drama that makes its audience Feel It
I_Ailurophile18 January 2023
I don't believe I've seen any of Shamim Sarif's other films to date, and as I also haven't read her original novel, I suppose I'm in a prime position to judge this as objectively as one could. Apart from noting some familiar names in the cast, and lovely filming locations (in Belgrade, accordingly), there's nothing particular about the title that immediately leaps out one way or the other as the clock advances. Even one-third into the length it doesn't necessarily make a major impression, though in the very least the tale is sufficiently interesting to keep on watching. And maybe that's kind of the best evaluation of 'Despite the falling snow' at large: broadly unremarkable, but passively enjoyable.
While neither strengths nor weaknesses especially stand out for the most part, various elements slowly begin to either concretely earn favor, or come off as not being to the picture's advantage. I'm not sure whether it should be attributed to director Sarif, cinematographer David Johnson, producer Hanan Kattan, or some combination thereof, but most shots and scenes are visually pleasing in a way I can only describe as peculiarly warm and inviting. On the other hand, when it comes to guiding the cast's performances and the active orchestration of scenes, there's a certain brusqueness in Sarif's direction that's mildly off-putting, and sometimes I also wonder if Johnson's camerawork isn't a little too zealous. Overall I think the acting is commendable, with noteworthy nuance seen from Rebecca Ferguson, Antje Traue, Charles Dance, Sam Reid, and more; then again, though this may be a result of the direction or other factors, there's often a vague but detectable stilted quality to their portrayals that comports with neither the emotions the characters should reasonably feel, nor the control those same characters should presumably exercise over their emotions. I have no notes for editor Masahiro Hirakubo, whose work is quite fine all around, and in some cases extra sharp as the plot shifts between time periods. For that matter, in all regards the crew behind the scenes turned in reliably terrific contributions, including production design and art direction, hair, makeup, and costume design.
While it carves no new paths, I like the tale that Sarif spins - one of love, espionage, and conflicting loyalties; deception, destroying lives, and echoes of the past. Characters have complexities that are gradually show themselves more, and the dialogue neatly dovetails into that sensibility. The scene writing boasts some splendid detail that belies a more delicate hand, and the narrative is compelling, and solid, if less than exceptional. Yet here is where the biggest issue with 'Despite the falling snow' ultimately lies, for as enticing as the saga is on paper, in execution the realization of it falls a little flat. The vast majority of these ninety-some minutes pass with a subdued, bland tone that deprives the presentation of almost any sense of immediacy, urgency, or electricity. Even as secrets are revealed that are of major significance to characters, most of the plot development is no great revelation to the audience, and regardless the tableau is painted with such dull colors that the viewing experience feels less like historical fiction of life and death, and more like an episode of one of those TV shows where celebrities learn about their ancestry and feign shock as all the information is laid out directly in front of them. It's not until the very end - truly the last few minutes before credits start to roll - that the picture seems to have finally struck the perfect chord. The ending is sad, beautiful, and highly impactful, and without a doubt the best part of the whole film. I'm reminded of 2005's 'Brokeback Mountain,' in that whatever one thinks of the title in total, the final sequence is singularly powerful, and far outshines everything that came before it. If only the rest of these one and a half hours were approached with the same care, and mind for vibrancy, then my assessment would be very different.
If my words come off more critical than positive, I don't altogether intend it. To be clear, I do like this movie, and it's certainly better than not. It's just that if the strengths and weaknesses were weighed using a balance scale, in sum the feature is almost entirely even-keeled (incidentally matching its tone or lack thereof), and it's only the last few minutes that give it an edge. While I don't think all the choices herein serve the film well, I nonetheless salute all involved for the work they put in, and only wish that the production were one that really let us Feel the drama it's trying to communicate. For such deficiency, it seems difficult to give a specific recommendation for this, unless one is a huge fan of someone who worked on it. Still, if you're looking for a picture of such a thrust, this is decent enough if you happen to come across it. Don't go out of your way by any means, but so long as you're not looking for only the best of the best, 'Despite the falling snow' is modestly worthwhile.
While neither strengths nor weaknesses especially stand out for the most part, various elements slowly begin to either concretely earn favor, or come off as not being to the picture's advantage. I'm not sure whether it should be attributed to director Sarif, cinematographer David Johnson, producer Hanan Kattan, or some combination thereof, but most shots and scenes are visually pleasing in a way I can only describe as peculiarly warm and inviting. On the other hand, when it comes to guiding the cast's performances and the active orchestration of scenes, there's a certain brusqueness in Sarif's direction that's mildly off-putting, and sometimes I also wonder if Johnson's camerawork isn't a little too zealous. Overall I think the acting is commendable, with noteworthy nuance seen from Rebecca Ferguson, Antje Traue, Charles Dance, Sam Reid, and more; then again, though this may be a result of the direction or other factors, there's often a vague but detectable stilted quality to their portrayals that comports with neither the emotions the characters should reasonably feel, nor the control those same characters should presumably exercise over their emotions. I have no notes for editor Masahiro Hirakubo, whose work is quite fine all around, and in some cases extra sharp as the plot shifts between time periods. For that matter, in all regards the crew behind the scenes turned in reliably terrific contributions, including production design and art direction, hair, makeup, and costume design.
While it carves no new paths, I like the tale that Sarif spins - one of love, espionage, and conflicting loyalties; deception, destroying lives, and echoes of the past. Characters have complexities that are gradually show themselves more, and the dialogue neatly dovetails into that sensibility. The scene writing boasts some splendid detail that belies a more delicate hand, and the narrative is compelling, and solid, if less than exceptional. Yet here is where the biggest issue with 'Despite the falling snow' ultimately lies, for as enticing as the saga is on paper, in execution the realization of it falls a little flat. The vast majority of these ninety-some minutes pass with a subdued, bland tone that deprives the presentation of almost any sense of immediacy, urgency, or electricity. Even as secrets are revealed that are of major significance to characters, most of the plot development is no great revelation to the audience, and regardless the tableau is painted with such dull colors that the viewing experience feels less like historical fiction of life and death, and more like an episode of one of those TV shows where celebrities learn about their ancestry and feign shock as all the information is laid out directly in front of them. It's not until the very end - truly the last few minutes before credits start to roll - that the picture seems to have finally struck the perfect chord. The ending is sad, beautiful, and highly impactful, and without a doubt the best part of the whole film. I'm reminded of 2005's 'Brokeback Mountain,' in that whatever one thinks of the title in total, the final sequence is singularly powerful, and far outshines everything that came before it. If only the rest of these one and a half hours were approached with the same care, and mind for vibrancy, then my assessment would be very different.
If my words come off more critical than positive, I don't altogether intend it. To be clear, I do like this movie, and it's certainly better than not. It's just that if the strengths and weaknesses were weighed using a balance scale, in sum the feature is almost entirely even-keeled (incidentally matching its tone or lack thereof), and it's only the last few minutes that give it an edge. While I don't think all the choices herein serve the film well, I nonetheless salute all involved for the work they put in, and only wish that the production were one that really let us Feel the drama it's trying to communicate. For such deficiency, it seems difficult to give a specific recommendation for this, unless one is a huge fan of someone who worked on it. Still, if you're looking for a picture of such a thrust, this is decent enough if you happen to come across it. Don't go out of your way by any means, but so long as you're not looking for only the best of the best, 'Despite the falling snow' is modestly worthwhile.
Terribly simple plot
ron-miller20915 June 2018
This movie was insipid and boring and never should have been made. (The two stars I have it are for the score.) My guess is that it never had a theatrical release and went straight to cable. To say that the script and plot were amateurish is an insult to amateurs. One reviewer wrote that it would be understandable for Russians to believe that Americans are stupid after watching it, but, sorry, this was a British/Canadian production, NOT American. I've great fondness and admiration for English movies and TV, but I'll bet they wish they could get this one out of circulation. No matter; no one will ever remember this pathetic drivel, anyway
An intriguing movie
SplatDcat24 December 2020
A romantic drama film
puskullu_moruk16 October 2023
A romantic drama film with Rebecca Ferguson in the lead role, telling a love story set in the cold war years.
In 1950s moscow, communist katya spies for the arms smuggling americans. Leaking information from alexander, one of the government's most successful agents, is the most important mission katya has ever undertaken. The only thing she doesn't expect is to fall in love with alexander.
It is a beautiful love film that does not regret watching it thanks to its finale. There is a narrative problem because it is a book adaptation. The short duration is also a big factor in this, of course, it should have been extended for at least half an hour.
It is one of the love films that makes you shed tears at the end.
In 1950s moscow, communist katya spies for the arms smuggling americans. Leaking information from alexander, one of the government's most successful agents, is the most important mission katya has ever undertaken. The only thing she doesn't expect is to fall in love with alexander.
It is a beautiful love film that does not regret watching it thanks to its finale. There is a narrative problem because it is a book adaptation. The short duration is also a big factor in this, of course, it should have been extended for at least half an hour.
It is one of the love films that makes you shed tears at the end.
4/10. This is not my rating. This is what this film deserves.
thenightmaremanager19 December 2016
When you're cooking and you use ingredients that are 4/10 in quality/freshness, make a 4/10 recipe and put 4/10 effort to details, temperature, timing, etc, you get something that is at best 4/10. You don't need to ask the taster "How would you rate this?" because as a chef, what do you expect?
This is not a commentary on the mediocre Russian cuisine using Soviet era ingredients, but is this production company under embargo or something that they have to do with rations? Could they not have a better script?
Oh wait, the director decided to write her own script, not ask anyone for assistance, and direct everything herself. If your script is good, find a good director to make it. If you're a good director, find a good script to make into film. Very, very few people can do both. The problem is many, many people think they can.
The problem is that a weak director could ruin their own top-notch self- written script with mediocre direction. And a poor self-written script could ruin a great director's film by not getting any scrutiny or passing any filters from idea to finished film.
Let's talk positives first. The soundtrack: 10/10. This is perhaps the best score I've ever heard in my life.
Rebecca Ferguson is one of the most beautiful women to grace the screen and she's exceptionally talented, but eye-candy and great soundtrack do not a great film make.
The other actors were good for what it's worth.
The script, the story, the dialogues, the whole thing is a huge let down. I was looking forward to this film and I can't recommend it to anyone.
It's just not worth watching.
Buy the soundtrack though.
This is not a commentary on the mediocre Russian cuisine using Soviet era ingredients, but is this production company under embargo or something that they have to do with rations? Could they not have a better script?
Oh wait, the director decided to write her own script, not ask anyone for assistance, and direct everything herself. If your script is good, find a good director to make it. If you're a good director, find a good script to make into film. Very, very few people can do both. The problem is many, many people think they can.
The problem is that a weak director could ruin their own top-notch self- written script with mediocre direction. And a poor self-written script could ruin a great director's film by not getting any scrutiny or passing any filters from idea to finished film.
Let's talk positives first. The soundtrack: 10/10. This is perhaps the best score I've ever heard in my life.
Rebecca Ferguson is one of the most beautiful women to grace the screen and she's exceptionally talented, but eye-candy and great soundtrack do not a great film make.
The other actors were good for what it's worth.
The script, the story, the dialogues, the whole thing is a huge let down. I was looking forward to this film and I can't recommend it to anyone.
It's just not worth watching.
Buy the soundtrack though.
A pleasant story.
lopezpatricia-0613929 March 2022
A laughable movie
newjersian7 June 2016
Maybe for a western movie goer who doesn't know the realities of the former Soviet Union that soap opera is watchable. But for people who came from behind the iron curtain this movie looks like a good parody. In every detail: clothes, make ups, looks of the soviet streets and people,the shown events everything is unbelievably wrong.It always makes you wonder on why the film makers spent millions on producing such a movie, but couldn't they hire a consultant? The mistakes they made are so plentiful that, where I should've cried for a beautiful Katya, I couldn't hold my giggles. Unfortunately, that movie was dubbed in Russian language and shown there in many movie theaters. I can only imagine with what epithets the Russian viewers commented the film. Many times I read in the Russian newspapers that Americans are stupid. And what can they think after watching that rubbish?
Mediocre romance story
annbower-8060018 June 2023
Terrible cheap wig that distracted me when watching the American Katia. It was too obvious that it did not fit her head and her own hair was stuffed under it. She is too pretty and refined to be presented this way. Poor planning around Russian history and the attempt to portray life 50 years ago. Actors deserved a better movie to express their talent which is better than this picture provided. Small details that were ignored left the movie and its story feeling unappreciated by the producers and director. I look forward to seeing these actors in the future in movies that appreciate their craft.
What a joke!
alexmarinets10 March 2020
I wish scree writers did their job to see how people lived and existed in the times and countries their movies based on. Nobody, listen, no one woman would walk in dress shoes in winter in Moscow. Never. No matter how privileged she was! Extra flat for drop ins? Are you kidding me? 3 bedroom apartment for Sasha with curtains like in the movie - the author of the story knew nothing about Russia and spies and place and the country. I feel really sad I will never get the time I spent watching it back. False in every step! There were never weddings like theirs, the flower the little girl gave them is for funeral on Russia... I mean seriously why does Shamim Sarif even bothered with it without doing a basic research. Third help of minister of foreign affairs living in Moscow across Kremlin? The lies never end...
Great cast and sumptuous visuals;In bittersweet tale of forbidden love and revenge
inkblot1122 September 2019
In the film's early sixties beginning, Sasha (Sam Reid) is defecting to the US in a harrowing chase to the safe car. Once inside, his joy turns to anguish as he receives terrible news of others. Flashing forward to just after the fall of the Soviet Union, an older Sasha (Charles Dance) , now a successful American businessman, doesn't like that his niece, Lauren (Rebecca Ferguson) is having a showing of her wonderful artwork in the new Russia. She is also determined to find out some secrets about her family. Now, suddenly, we are back in Communist Russia where beautiful Katya (also Rebecca Ferguson) is casting eyes on the young Sasha, short for Alexander. At a cocktail party, the lovely school principal is meeting the handsome aid to a high ranking Soviet official. But, all is not as it seems. Katya's parents were murdered under Stalin and she was left an orphan. Although she appears to be a true believer, she is secretly transferring Soviet secrets to the Americans, for she hates the communists. In this, her friend and mentor, Misha (Oliver Jackson Cohen) has suggested she "get close" to Sasha for he will have a bounty of secrets on his watch. So, Katya does as told. But, what starts as espionage ends in Katya falling hard for the personable and handsome Misha, as he also loves her, and marrying him, much to Misha's dismay. Now, lives are in danger and defection may be the only option. How will it end? Then, too, will Lauren discover these happenings as well? This fine film has sumptuous visuals of Moscow amid the snow and a great cast. Add on wonderful costumes, an intriguing, time-hopping story and a polished direction and here is a film many refined movie fans will love. Are you one of these?
After a moment i didn't remember its name
ernesti24 February 2018
Despite the falling snow is a below average film in almost every aspect but its music is fantastic. It's unbelievable that such an uneven film was a result of obvious high production values. Not even a good musical score can save this film.
Its script just makes me wonder what they were thinking. Where did they get the funding for this. Well it appears that it was self-produced, self-written and self-directed. Whoa, what an effort. Sometimes this could work.
The biggest issue is that none of the characters are even remotely believable. Some might accept that soviets spoke perfect english in those times. Joking aside, it's such a shame that this could have been a lot better film because it only looks good from time to time.
I can recommend this to those who really enjoy spotting errors. There's plenty.
Its script just makes me wonder what they were thinking. Where did they get the funding for this. Well it appears that it was self-produced, self-written and self-directed. Whoa, what an effort. Sometimes this could work.
The biggest issue is that none of the characters are even remotely believable. Some might accept that soviets spoke perfect english in those times. Joking aside, it's such a shame that this could have been a lot better film because it only looks good from time to time.
I can recommend this to those who really enjoy spotting errors. There's plenty.
Vodka and Rossiyskaya Gazeta
cherry_town4 August 2020
What a trash. I could hardly stomach it. Special kudos go to the art director. Ok, everybody drinks vodka, that is a cliche. But when a protagonist reads in a cafe in mid-50s a ROSSIYSKAYA GAZETA which would be founded 40 years later, in November 1990. all the credibility and gusto for the movie is unconditionally lost
Not the worst movie I've ever seen
darkdementress23 August 2020
This movie has a really good cast but somehow it turns out to be acting that's worse than a college production and a script that was written by a 90 year old. Zzzzzz. Really slow, quite boring, full of stupid sexist cliches. Switching between past and present is awful. Also, they couldn't afford Ryan Gosling, so discount Ryan Gosling!
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