United States of America

ThrillerCrimeDramaMystery

Based on novel or bookCold warKgbPoliticianMunicipal parkGovernment conspiracyMoscowRussia

Michael Apted

William Hurt, Lee Marvin, Brian Dennehy, Ian Bannen, Joanna Pacula, Michael Elphick

Dennis Potter

Orion Pictures, Eagle Associates, Orion

Taglines: Murder In Moscow

Police Inspector Renko tries to solve the case of three bodies found in Moscow's Gorky Park but finds his attempts to solve the crime impeded by his superiors. Working on his own, Renko seeks out more information and stumbles across a conspiracy involving the highest levels of the government.

Reviews:

Author: Geronimo1967
When "Insp. Renko" (William Hurt) is called to investigate a rather gruesome find in Moscow's Gorky park, he is soon embroiled in a conspiracy that leaves him unsure whom he can trust. The KGB are involved as are the Americans - and soon it all points to the enigmatic furrier "Osborne" (Lee Marvin) who has a nifty line in sable hats. What now ensues is a rather dry and procedural mix of thriller and romance with the very presence of Marvin as much of a dead giveaway as you are ever going to get. Marvin brings a certain screen presence, but that just serves to illustrate just how much Hurt is going through the motions - he usually underwhelmed I found. Here the supporting cast led by Brian Dennehy and the occasional contribution from Ian Bannen as the slightly duplicitous prosecutor "Iamskoy" don't really add up to very much either. It all just lacks any sense of intrigue and the plot takes far too long to build up steam. It's very wordy, too - far too much dialogue that actually drags the story down to a almost glacially slow pace. A tighter edit and less verbiage might have made it more attractive, but as it is - well, it's all just bit dull. Chilly, but dull.