Good but flawed

Rating: 9/10 (18 February 2008)

This movie is very well made.
Well written, good actors, convincing set design, costumes and cinematography.
But it has a major flaw.
It is not Russian. It doesn't feel Russian. The main reason is language.
The actors are well cast and all of them could pass for Russians, but the way they act and deliver lines is utterly non-Russian.
The same thing with Doctor Zhivago and The Beast of War, for example.
All very good movies and worth watching, but fake.
For West-European and American audiences they're probably OK, and actually that's their target audience. But for Slavic and Eastern European peoples - they feel fake. Not to speak for the Russians themselves.
So, in my opinion, these kind of movies are a waste of money.
The right way for Hollywood would be to make a co-production, with entirely Russian (or other) cast, and preferably Russian (or other native) over-the-line crew - writer(s), director, set designers, cinematographer.
Something more in the Mel Gibson way.
Nevertheless, such movies are a way for western audiences to get acquainted with other cultures, events and history.
In overall - a good watch: 9\10.