What's particularly noteworthy is how un-British it looks and feels. Ryszard Lenczewski's photography is soft, full of shades of greys, and even finds a bleak beauty in the humdrum concrete landscape wired with close-circuit cameras. Adding to this sense of un-Britishness, Tanya and her son Artiom frequently exchange in Russian to each other and the town is populated with characters speaking in foreign tongues. This could almost be Eastern Europe or beyond. Director Paul Pawlikowski's documentary background is particularly evident in his naturalistic, even understated depiction of characters.
Characters are one of the most compelling elements of the film.
Out of the hardship and pain comes something vital and heart-warming. Copyright 1997-2001 insideout.co.uk. All rights reserved.