I haven't seen this movie since seeing it in the theater in 1985! It's one I remember mostly loving the dancing scenes, but also, as I grew up during it, the Cold War was a big part of my life. Movies revolving around that always appealed to me.
So, what's it about? Mikhail Baryshnikov stars as a ballet dancer Nicolai (Kolya) Rodchenko who defected to America. On a flight to Tokyo, the plane has problems and is forced to crash land at a military airfield in Siberia. Naturally, Kolya panics when he finds out where they're landing, but it's too late. The Soviet Union is delighted to have him back. Headed by KGB officer Colonel Chaiko (Jerzy Skolimowski) they, refuse to turn him over to the Americans claiming injuries Kolya sustained in the crash are far more severe than they actually were and that he can't be moved.
Enter Gregory Hines as Raymond, a tap dancer who defected from America to Russia. Other than meeting the love of his life, Darya (a radiant Isabella Rosselini), Raymond regrets his decision to defect, but has resigned himself to his life. He performs and dances in small-time performances to much acclaim from the locals. Raymond's life changes when Colonel Chaiko tasks him with convincing Kolya to dance at the Kirov.
Kolya and Raymond are at odds from the outset. Kolya repeatedly tries to escape, which gets Raymond into trouble. Ultimately, the two bond, become friends, and decide to escape back to America.
On rewatch, I found I remembered most of the movie. The highlights of this film are still any time Hines or Baryshnikov dance. Hines singing "There's a boat dat's leaving soon for New York" from Porgy and Bess is just fantastic. I tend to think of him mostly as a dancer, and I forgot how great a singer he was too. He makes me wish there was a whole movie version of Porgy and Bess with him as Sportin' Life. Baryshnikov gets the opening ballet scene, the famous 11 pirouettes, several other dance moments, Hines gets a few solo tap scenes, and then together we get one great dance number featuring both dancers. These are two masters of their different dance styles, and I'm in awe of both.
In between, we learn the characters' back stories and we see them slowly come together, until they make their escape attempt. Helen Mirren stars as a ballerina who was Kolya's old flame, who ends up helping him. There's no movie not made better by her appearance!
This is Isabella Rosselini's first American film. She's so young here, so lovely and vulnerable, and looking sooooo much like her mother. She acts as a much-needed anchor between the maudlin Raymond and the desperate Kolya, and I don't think the movie would work nearly as well without her character. My favorite scene is when the three pretend to be arguing (for the KGB listening in) while they in fact work together to escape. It's delightful. The escape itself is stressful and I remember back in 1985 worrying the whole time.
The movie runs a little long, but I still enjoyed it.
This has been my entry for the Back to 1985 blogathon. Head on over for more posts on the great movies that come out that year!
12 comments:
My favorite Hines role was as the drill sergeant in Renaissance Man, but this one is probably my second favorite. Only seen Baryshnikov in one film, so I have nothing to compare it to. Thx for playing.
Great choice! Had not thought of this movie in years but I remember liking it a lot. Hines and Baryshnikov, two different styles of dance but masters of their craft. Forgot about Isabella and Helen Mirren....but I do remember it was well plotted and very entertaining. Time to seek it out again. Great review.
-Chris
My second favorite Hines role. Have a preference for Renaissance Man, but it's good. Haven't seen Baryshnikov in anything else so I can't compare there. Thx for playing.
I really want to see this, and have since I was a teen. I need to just sit down and watch it one of these days!!!!
Usually when people think of "Cold War" flicks doesn't come to mind...but it definitely fits the bill. "Cold War" stuff resonates with me as well as my dad was a missileer in the U.S. Air Force, so the Cold War was front and center in my childhood.
Thanks for reviewing this film. I watched it for the first time about two years ago, and didn't find it all that interesting as a film, but I felt the dancing made it worthwhile.
Btw, I nominated you for today :-) Play if you want to!
Oh boy, my sincere apologies! Apparently comment moderation got switched on and I never received any emails letting me know there were comments waiting... ARGH!! Renaissance Man is on my to-watch list, but I haven't caught it yet. Thanks for hosting this! It was fun to revisit a movie I hadn't seen in ages.
I had completely forgot Helen Mirren was in it. Hines and Baryshnikov are indeed sooooo different, but such astoundingly good dancers. Thanks for commenting, and my apologies for the lateness of this reply. Blogger never notified me I had comments, and I didn't think to just go check behind-the-scenes myself.
It's on youtube in its entirety, so you can catch it there if you ever have time! Thanks again for letting me know these comments had never appeared.
Yeah, I think you have to be a certain age... I'll bet your dad had some stories to tell! That would be an interesting job! I'm thankful for his service! Thanks for commenting, and my apologies for the delay in responding.
The dancing is indeed the best part and really the biggest reason to watch. Thanks for commenting, and I'm sorry it took so long to respond!
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