imperfection is perfection
Sporadic film reviews by a wanna-be filmmaker
CHILD 44 [2015]
Directed by Daniel Espinosa, Written by Richard Price (screenplay), Tom Rob Smith (novel)
Starring: Tom Hardy, Gary Oldman, Noomi Rapace, Joel Kinnaman, Vincent Cassel, Jason Clarke
It seems that Tom Hardy can do no wrong. Hardy’s Russian accent in this USSR-based film is near-flawless and most of the cast keep up with him too. Though I would have preferred this film be filmed entirely in Russian rather than English, it works as most of the cast don’t falter with their accents, meaning the film feels authentic despite the English dialogue. What irritated me a little though was that Hardy spoke entirely in English, except for half the time he said yes, where he sometimes says ‘da’, obviously Russian for yes. Its a minor gripe I know, but I did find it a little distracting. Other than this though the film succeeds in sucking you into Stalin-era Russia.
While the plot jumps ahead at times leaving the viewer guessing, for the most part this is a great movie that unfortunately draws many parallels with the way terrorism and especially whistle-blowers are handled in the US, despite the fact this is based for the most part in 1950’s Russia. Communism of course rules the land, traitors are sentenced without trial and seemingly without evidence, while the slogan “there is no murder in paradise” is uttered by many of the senior officers working for the fictional Russian agency, the ‘MGB’, which is a phrase that I can’t define as anything else but creepy. The behaviour of all the men in the MGB is also extremely engaging and really pulls the viewer further into 1950’s USSR, despite the fact that this is a fictional agency within a fictional story. The MGB, in addition to routinely accusing citizens of being traitors or spies, is a scary place to be even for those within the agency. Tom Hardy’s character, Leo Demidov, finds this out shortly into the movie, as his moral compass isn’t one that agrees with his superiors and his curiosity leads to his wife being accused of a traitor. Being a good man, Leo refuses to denounce his wife as a traitor to the Motherland and is promptly shipped off to a remote post, a ‘significant demotion’ he is told by General Mikhail Nesterov, played by Gary Oldman, who is Leo’s new superior at his new station.
As this is happening, a series of children are being found, all killed in similar fashion, which was what Leo showed just a small amount of curiosity in, to which he was bluntly told “There is no murder in paradise”, despite the increasing amount of children being found. At his new station, Leo is able to convince General Nesterov, who begrudgingly listens to Leo’s theory that something is amiss, and at great personal risk to both of their lives, they plan to find out what is actually happening.
The atmosphere is appropriately filled with dread, though apart from this excellently realised Russian setting, there is not much else to separate this film from any number of other films based on serial killers. There are moments of tension throughout though they are brief, and the film can at times feel predictable. But that overwhelming feeling of doom that hangs over the entire film is a good reason to to watch this film.
A stunning performance yet again from Hardy, though this doesn’t save the film from being only slightly above average – certainly worth a watch for the portrayal of communist Russia, but there is not much more not after that.
24 Comments on “CHILD 44 [2015]”
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imperfection is perfection 
I’ve heard a lot of negativity about this one, so it was good to read a different take on it.
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Its certainly not the best movie Hardy has been in this year, which is a shame as this had a great cast. But as Khalid said the screenplay was off, among other things
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I do like Tom Hardy, so I’ll have to check this out.
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He is the best part of the movie for sure, great Russian accent
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He definitely is a reliable actor that’s for sure. On another note, have you seen some of the test footage for Eric’s movie?
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nah I’ve been insanely busy for the last week, I haven’t had the time to check other blogs. I’ll have to hit up his site later today
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Glad you liked it because I personally couldn’t bear it for the most part. The sluggish pacing and the screenplay really didn’t do anything to keep me compelled.
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The main thing I liked was the atmosphere. I can’t really disagree with you on the faults though, I can’t see myself watching it again
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I know what you mean. I’ve seen a lot of movies that I like but when they’re over I decide to never see them again.
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Yup, this is pretty much one of them, but I certainly didn’t hate it
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Sounds all right and is definitely a genre I enjoy so will have to check this out.
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I wouldn’t recommend buying it but a rental for sure, the Stalin-era treatment of normal civilians has a few, while more extreme, examples of what it is like in the states for alleged terrorists. That was another part of the flick I really enjoyed
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I missed this one when it was screening at cinemas over here. It’s a shame as I’m a big fan of Hardy’s work. Great review Jordan.
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You didn’t miss anything spectacular, but its an interesting movie no doubt, and Hardy is simply brilliant. Can he do anything wrong?!
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There’s a peachy post on my blog if you’re interested mate.
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I was just looking at it now!
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You’re da fucking best dude.
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Nice one man, I couldn’t be bothered to go see ths when it was released. Then a shitstorm of negative press came around but I don’t know if I want to believe it all. I love this cast they assembled, Tom Hardy looks as intense as ever, and you make it sound like there are more positives than negatives. I’ll keep an eye out.
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The atmosphere of Stalin-era Russia really sold it for me. That and Tom Hardy’s performance, it seems the man can do no wrong!
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He really can’t. He’s tremendous, one of my favorites as of the moment. Hell, i might even be game to watch This Means War at some point, that stupid rom-com thing he’s in with Chris Pine and Reese With-her-spoon. 😉
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Haha I’ve never heard of that one. But I haven’t seen him turn in a bad performance yet
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I haven’t actually read this properly as someone gave me the book to read LITERALLY yesterday!!!! How weird is that? 😀 😀
I’m sure it’s another excellent review however mmmmmmmmmmmmmm’kay 😀
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Hehe I hope you enjoy the book. From the comments here I’m guessing it is better than the movie
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Oh everyone always says that (gets boring doesn’t it lol) “yeah great movie but the book is soooo much better you should read that blah blah blah……”
Er no thanks because I’ve just watched the fucking movie and I loved THAT just fine thanks!!!!
I just thought it was weird because I only saw that picture and front cover yesterday when someone lent me the book and I’d never heard of it until then.
Like the It Follows soundtrack thingy. Spooky!!!! MMMMMMMMMM’KAY!!!!! 😀
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