A disservice that so few have watched this movie. I’ll admit, I didn’t expect it to be anything special, but I’m glad to report I was wrong. Great look at a tragic event.

A disservice that so few have watched this movie. I’ll admit, I didn’t expect it to be anything special, but I’m glad to report I was wrong. Great look at a tragic event.

While it is a little slow and took me several tries to get through, I really enjoy certain aspects to this! I loved the black and white aesthetic and some of those shots are hauntingly beautiful. 

In the end, Dear Comrades is about conflicted loyalties. As much as our main character wants to believe in this ideology like it’s her religion, she cannot believe in it enough to lose her daughter in the process. I loved the progression of her character from a cold, strict Communist to a more sympathetic and emotional mom, but I felt like it didn’t hit as hard as it should have. 

Either way I didn’t regret watching. You always hear about how the Soviet Union falls apart, but to see it this intimately makes you feel sad for all that is involved.

While it is a little slow and took me several tries to get through, I really enjoy certain aspects to this! I loved the black and white aesthetic and some of those shots are hauntingly beautiful. 

In the end, Dear Comrades is about conflicted loyalties. As much as our main character wants to believe in this ideology like it’s her religion, she cannot believe in it enough to lose her daughter in the process. I loved the progression of her character from a cold, strict Communist to a more sympathetic and emotional mom, but I felt like it didn’t hit as hard as it should have. 

Either way I didn’t regret watching. You always hear about how the Soviet Union falls apart, but to see it this intimately makes you feel sad for all that is involved.

“I wish Stalin would come back.” This line crashed me. Btw: it is deleted from Douban.

“I wish Stalin would come back.” This line crashed me. Btw: it is deleted from Douban.

Some awkward acting and clunky dialogue at times definitely takes you out of the movie at times but when it’s good it’s pretty good.

Some awkward acting and clunky dialogue at times definitely takes you out of the movie at times but when it’s good it’s pretty good.

A stern, surprisingly personal reflection on Soviet Russia and the hypocrisy that led to its fall. The film is headed by a strong lead performance and stunning, almost documentary visuals. Add captivating direction from Tarkovsky collaborator Andrei Konchalovsky and Dear Comrades is a solid contender in the International Oscar scene. 78/100

A stern, surprisingly personal reflection on Soviet Russia and the hypocrisy that led to its fall. The film is headed by a strong lead performance and stunning, almost documentary visuals. Add captivating direction from Tarkovsky collaborator Andrei Konchalovsky and Dear Comrades is a solid contender in the International Oscar scene. 78/100