GORKY PARK is one of those Hollywood films of the 1980s that explored Russian themes and backgrounds and took a look at Cold War relationships during the era; Schwarzenegger's RED HEAT is another of the popular examples. This one is based on the literate novel by Martin Cruz Smith and certainly has an air of authenticity to it, with Finland ably standing in for Moscow itself.
The plot involves William Hurt's impassive militiaman investigating a gruesome triple murder at the titular locale, one where the three victims had their faces skinned to hide their identities. His investigation takes him into the usual dangerous territory involving corruption, conspiracy, murder attempts and a femme fatale to boot. The film has a glacial feel to it at times, but James Horner's kettle drum score enlivens things immensely (just as it did in COMMANDO) and the excellent cast features good parts for Lee Marvin, Joanna Pacula and the scene-stealing Brian Dennehy.
The plot involves William Hurt's impassive militiaman investigating a gruesome triple murder at the titular locale, one where the three victims had their faces skinned to hide their identities. His investigation takes him into the usual dangerous territory involving corruption, conspiracy, murder attempts and a femme fatale to boot. The film has a glacial feel to it at times, but James Horner's kettle drum score enlivens things immensely (just as it did in COMMANDO) and the excellent cast features good parts for Lee Marvin, Joanna Pacula and the scene-stealing Brian Dennehy.