IMDb RATING
6.6/10
1.3K
YOUR RATING
Russian political elite hires American consultants to help with President Yeltsin's re-election campaign when his approval rating is down to single digits.Russian political elite hires American consultants to help with President Yeltsin's re-election campaign when his approval rating is down to single digits.Russian political elite hires American consultants to help with President Yeltsin's re-election campaign when his approval rating is down to single digits.
- Awards
- 5 wins & 1 nomination
Boris Lee Krutonog
- Felix Braynin
- (as Boris Krutonog)
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThe film is based on actual events. While the film portrays all three consultants as being in Russia during the entire campaign, Gorton, Dresner and Shumate flew in and out of Russia during the five month period from February through July, 1996. Usually, two of the three were in Russia while the other was in the USA. This was a safety precaution, so if something went wrong in Russia, the member of the team in the US could get the other two out.
- GoofsHalf 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.
- ConnectionsReferences A Clockwork Orange (1971)
Featured review
Watch out Elvis, and watch out for that mine-shaft gap!
I resisted seeing this movie for some time. Not sure why - probably because the title put me off. However it is one of the funniest, sharpest movies I have seen in many a year and I have to agree with "Filmdome" that it has something of "Dr Strangelove" about it. The notion that three American political consultants could go over to Russia and successfully assist Boris Yeltsin to win the 1996 election would be ludicrous if it weren't for the fact that it is true! The three protagonists Jeff Goldblum (George), Anthony LaPaglia (Dick) and Liev Schreiber(Joe) have great on-screen rapport and charisma which only serves to heighten the manic atmosphere and paranoia of the piece. The notion that they can't trust anyone pervades the film giving this satire an added dimension; all their most private thoughts and plans have to be expressed on the balcony to their apartment. Even the CIA have them bugged. Their only respite appears to be in the bar at the hotel where a rather bad Russian Elvis Presley impersonator befriends them and offers invaluable information as to the Russian psyche. The film is interspersed with genuine footage from the campaign, plus Yeltsin's bizarre dancing episode which I'm sure any of you out there with long memories must remember as it was one of the most surreal bouts of electioneering ever to have been televised! Naturally George, Dick and Joe are equally unimpressed. Goldblum is touching in his gentle and restrained romancing of Tatiana (Yeltsin's daughter)though I suspect that in reality this did not happen. Dick turning blue in a snowstorm on the tarmac at the airport and barricading the door to their apartment on election night while Joe hides under his jacket, and the musical car journey back to the airport at the end of the film are just a hint at the great moments in this very good movie.
helpful•61
- janet-55
- Jan 17, 2006
Details
- Runtime1 hour 52 minutes
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 1.85 : 1
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