Truly disappointing

Rating: 5/10 (27 January 2011)

I had high expectations for this movie, given the reviews and the trailer. I was throughly disappointed: the story is not credible, the characters are under developed, the ending is cheesier than a swiss fondue.
** SPOILER
I know it's (supposedly) based on true facts, but how am I expected to believe that all through their escape a guy carries several sheets of paper and a pencil, and draws all the time? That they cross the Himalayas in the middle of winter (the movie spends an entire 2 minutes on this feast).. That in the first 10 minutes in the Gulag the main character makes a friend that trusts him to try an escape -- who also tells him some people are informers? And I could go on..
** END SPOILER
Ed Harris delivers a solid performance, and together with the scenery is the only thing that somewhat saves the movie.
I saw the movie with a group of friends, and we all agreed on these points (so it's not just me).
Save your money and rent it, watch it at home if you can't live without. But believe me, you can.