CHILD 44
Director: Daniel Espinosa
Writers: Richard Price, Tom Rob Smith
Stars: Tom Hardy, Gary Oldman, Noomi Rapace
Runtime: 137 minutes
Strength: Story setting. Acting.
Weakness: Missing Thrill. Deviation.
Rating: 2/5
PLOT: A disgraced member of the military police investigates a series of nasty child murders during the Stalin-era Soviet Union.
REVIEW: Tom Hardy returns in a brooding role of a decorated war hero Leo Demidov, now a member of the Soviet Secret Police, to investigate a serial killer responsible for a series of child murders. The story, adapted from Tom Rob Smith's 2008 Novel, has a brilliant premise and setting with potential beyond many recent movies. The set is all too clichéd with an image of the Soviet Union in which ordinary citizens live in fear of peers and secret police alike. The toxic atmosphere is present in every aspect of the production, from the smoggy environment to the grime covered decor. After being shipped off with his wife to a remote outpost, we finally meet the other awaited star, Gary Oldman. However, his part is so brief that it begs the question whether his name should even be on the poster (maybe as a guest starring role). The complete "thrill factor" goes missing for half of the film classified as a drama/thriller as the plot follows a rather flat trajectory. The focus shifts too as the story becomes more about overcoming people making obstacles to continue the investigation rather than investigating and solving the mystery itself. The actors deliver solid performances with certain revelations that enrich the characters' back stories later on but that's where the good news stops. The movie ends in utter dismay as it will be apparent to almost all viewers that although it had brilliant potential, it falls short by miles in terms of delivery. Frankly, the Russians are rather fortunate as the screening of the film has been banned there.
Reviewed by Mohaiminul Islam
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