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| Movie Review: Farewell Alternate Title: The Man Who Knew Too Much
Story: Can an ordinary (sort
of) citizen topple governments? In this fascinating, gripping spy thriller
directed by Christian Carion and written by Eric
Raynaud and based on the novel “Bonjour Farewell”
by Serguei Kostine we get a peek at a tiny piece of
history that pretty much changed the world. It helps if you are over 50 to appreciate all
of the details in this riveting story of patriotism, spies, betrayal,
secrets and lies that is based on a true story that happened in 1981.
Griegoriev is a Colonel in the
KGB. He is disheartened about the state of the State in Soviet
Russia. He decides that the country is going in the wrong direction
and wants a better life for his teenage son. He decides to give State
secrets to the West in order for his country to get on the right track.
How he handles this exchange of secrets is the best part of the film.
He does not do it for money. He does it for his country, his son and
the better life of all. It is a treat to watch him, his evolving mind,
his heart, his soul, his sacrifice. The most important thing is that we care very
deeply about him. his family and the family that gets involved in the
exchange of secrets. Watch the trailer here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xIc5R7VQLLs Acting: Real life Serbian directorEmir Kusturica
as Grigoriev is perfect. He is the heart of the film. Guillaume
Canet as Pierre is also perfect as the French connection. The
rest of the cast is also terrific including: Alexandra Maria
Lara (Jessica), Ingeborga Dapkunaite (Natasha),
Dina Korzun (Alina), Evgenie Kharlanov (Igor),
Willem Dafoe (Feeney), Philippe Magnan
(François Mitterrand) and Fred Ward as a weird
Ronald Reagan. Trivia: Vladimir Ippolitovich Vetrov (1932 -1985)
was a KGB spy during the Cold War, who passed on to NATO extremely valuable
information about the Soviet program to obtain technology from the West.
He was code-named Farewell by the French intelligence service DST, which
recruited him, and he was known by this name throughout NATO intelligence
services. His history inspired the this film. Between the spring of
1981 and early 1982 he handed over to the DST almost 4,000 secret documents,
including the complete official list of 250 Line X officers stationed
under legal cover in embassies around the world. Among the information
he provided was a complete breakdown of the organization of the Soviet
effort for collecting scientific and technical information, which included
elements of the GRU, the Soviet Academy of Sciences, and several other
bodies. In addition, he provided summaries on the goals, achievements,
and unfilled objectives of the program. His information also identified
nearly 100 leads to sources in 16 countries. His career came to an end
in February 1982 when, after a period of drinking caused by a cooling
off period imposed by the French (fearful of discovery through too much
contact), Vetrov stabbed, but did not kill, his mistress while drinking
Champagne in his parked car. A man (a fellow KGB officer) knocked on
the window. Thinking his spying had been discovered, he jumped out and
stabbed the man, killing him. He was arrested, tried, and sentenced
to 12 years in jail in the fall of 1982.
Predilection: None
Critters: A wolf (very important) and lots of dogs.
Sex Spectrum: Some extra marital fumbling.
Opening Titles: All titles at the end.
Visual Art: The vast grayness of Russia is perfectly
depicted.
Theater Audience: About 20 other people.
Weather: Cold
Drift Factor: I paid attention throughout.
Oscar Worthy: Probably not.
Big Screen or Rental: I always vote for the big screen.
Length: Under two hours.
LOBO HOWLS: 8
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