Now, I get that modern audiences tend to want some extra flavor added to their historical drama nowadays (at least, that's what Hollywood keeps telling us), so I was expecting they'd sprinkle on some romantic subplot, change the characters around to suit modern identity/gender politics, and changed the narrative a bit. But in doing so, this film seems to have gotten away from its source-material to such an extent, that none of it felt like a real story anymore. At no point did I get that "wow, this really happened" feeling, which is supposed to be the main motivation driving such films. The plot just isn't interesting enough to stand on its own without any historical context, yet it's far too altered to feel like it connect to its own, real life history.
One of my main gripes was with the main protagonist, who's younger version of herself in particular (played by Sophie Cockson), felt like a completely two-dimensional and shallow character. -- Young, beautiful girl who happens to be a genius-level nuclear physicist (but looks like a supermodel, of course) who, despite her supposed intelligence, at the same time is motivated by completely naive and immature idealism. The fact that the movie tries so hard to endear you to this person who, by any measure, was at her core a despicable traitor not only to her own country but also everyone else around her, made it a hard one to watch for me. Instead of this run-of-the-mill Mary Sue character that feels so completel played out in modern cinema, I would've loved to've seen a REAL actress actually bring something to the role. The film failed in communicating to the audience WHY she did what she did, instead it hinged the whole plot line on the dumbed down notion of "she's in love with a handsome communist". Would not recommend this one. The film feels labored and tedious, too much disingenuous, romantic sentimentality. Overall, a bore to watch.
7/10 for the cinematography and the production design 4/10 for the story and characters
One of my main gripes was with the main protagonist, who's younger version of herself in particular (played by Sophie Cockson), felt like a completely two-dimensional and shallow character. -- Young, beautiful girl who happens to be a genius-level nuclear physicist (but looks like a supermodel, of course) who, despite her supposed intelligence, at the same time is motivated by completely naive and immature idealism. The fact that the movie tries so hard to endear you to this person who, by any measure, was at her core a despicable traitor not only to her own country but also everyone else around her, made it a hard one to watch for me. Instead of this run-of-the-mill Mary Sue character that feels so completel played out in modern cinema, I would've loved to've seen a REAL actress actually bring something to the role. The film failed in communicating to the audience WHY she did what she did, instead it hinged the whole plot line on the dumbed down notion of "she's in love with a handsome communist". Would not recommend this one. The film feels labored and tedious, too much disingenuous, romantic sentimentality. Overall, a bore to watch.
7/10 for the cinematography and the production design 4/10 for the story and characters